Mir Showkat
Ganderbal, Feb 14: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Shafqat Iqbal today directed the concerned departments to ensure adequate allied facilities are made available to the tourists once they arrive at Sonamarg resort which is going to reopen in couple of days after remaining closed in winter.
The DC gave these directions during a meeting while reviewing the status of restoration of affected essentail services due to snowfall at Sonamarg which remains closed for few months during winters due to closure of Srinagar Sonamarg road due to heavy snowfall.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Farooq Ahmed Baba, SDM Kangan, Hakeem Tanveer, CMO Ganderbal, Executive Engineers of Jal Shakhti, KPDCL and Sonamarg Development Authority, ARO Ganderbal, Dy. Sp Ganderbal, Dy. SP traffic besides representatives of Hotelier Association Sonamarg and Beopar Mandal Sonamarg.
The DC took brief from the concerned departments regarding the status of restoration of essential services like water, electricity, Health, snow clearance on link roads and parking areas, restoration of public convenience, mobile connectivity, etc.
The concerned informed the DC that their men and machinery are already on job and maximum essential services are restored and within couple of days most of the affected services shall be made functional in whole Sonamarg.
The DC exorted upon the officers to take stock of ground situation at Sonamarg so that restoration of affected works and allied facilities is ensured before its opening for tourists.
The PDD was asked to take measures at the earliest for the restoration of electricity in the area and Exen Jal Shakhti was asked to inspect the sources of Portable water besides repair the damaged pipes if any so that water supply is also restored timely.
Similarly, the health department was asked to review all modalities to resore the functioning of hospital at Sonamarg, which remains closed during the winter.
Police was asked to start the Sonamarg Police Station well in time which also remains closed during winter.
The SDA was asked to access the ground statuation and damage if any, and take necessary measures for repairing the same well on time so that visitors do not face any inconvenience due to lack of any facility.
They were also directed to ensure snow is cleared on all link roads and parking places. It was informed that snow is already cleared on main road by the BRO.
Keeping in view the weather conditions and tourist footfall in the valley the DC said that decision regarding reopening of Sonamarg resort shall be taken in few days after accessing the ground situation adding that the priority will be to reopen it as early as possible.
Pertinently, MD, NHIDCL during his recent visit to Zojila and Z-Morh tunnel informed that the escape tunnel of Z-Morh tunnel shall be completed in the month of September this year after which Sonamarg resort shall remain open throughout the year.
In this regard, the DC impressed upon all the concerned departments and hoteliers to upgrade their infrastructure and allied services so that they may not get affected due to heavy snowfall and frost during winters.
The SDA was directed to submit the proposal timely to the competent authority for procuring necessary snow clearance machines.
During the meeting it was also revealed that on opening ceremony, district administration in collaboration with Tourism Department, NHIDCL and other stake holders is proposing to organize an impressive and colouful event to welcome the tourists which will be first of its kind, in the golden meadows.
Meanwhile, the DC also stressed the Hoteliers operating in Sonamarg to start cleanliness of their hotels and other related preperations so that once the tourists arrive they get all the required facilities for a comfortable stay.
