“Whose stupid idea is this?”, asks Omar as concrete pavement replaces Shankaracharya trekking trail

Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has reacted sharply to a decision to turn famous trekking route in Srinagar into a concrete path.

Retweeting an article and photo of the trekking trail on Shankaracharya hill being concrete-ised, reportedly by the J&K government’s forest department, the J&K National Conference chief has asked pointedly, “Whose stupid idea is this?”

Omar Abdullah has pointed out that there is already a parallel motorable road along the route, making the path unnecessary. He has appealed to the J&K Governor, Satyapal Malik, to reverse the order, restore the path, and find out who was responsible.

The Shankaracharya hill overlooks the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar and is well known for having the Shankaracharya Temple, a prominent and heavily-visited tourist destination, on its top.