Srinagar, Feb 09: After a devastating fire engulfed around 50 shops in the main market of Sonamarg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and MLA Kangan, along with other senior officials of the administration, visited the affected families and businessmen.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, along with Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, SSP Ganderbal, and other officials of the administration, visited the site. MLA Kangan, Mehar Ali, also met the affected families and businessmen.
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir took stock of the situation and assured immediate assistance for the affected families and businessmen.
Speaking to media persons during his visit to assess the situation, DC Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore said that the incident was unfortunate.
“Many shops have been damaged. We have assessed the damage to structures and will submit the report today itself so that assistance can be provided to the affected,” he said.
“We will also take up the genuine demand for establishing a fire service station here with the Fire and Emergency Services Department and ensure that it is set up soon,” he added.
MLA Mehar Ali speaking to media persons as per JKNS, said, “I was in touch with all district administration officials, and SDM Kangan was providing me with all details. It has been observed that the unavailability of a fire service station was the reason for the rapid spread of the fire in the area.”
Mehar said, “After taking the oath, I met with locals who requested the establishment of a fire service station in the area. On December 1, I met the ADG Fire Services and submitted a letter regarding the issue. He then sent a team to assess the feasibility of setting up the station.”
“I personally asked the CO Sonamarg to provide a room for firefighters to stay in until a proper building is constructed for them. However, he has not provided it till now, and this delay has led to the destruction of all the shops in the area,” he alleged.
Adding that the officer is incompetent and responsible for the devastation, Mehar said, “He must be held accountable for this massive loss.”
It is important to note that, around 50 shops including restaurants and hotel rooms were damaged in the massive fire that broke up in the sonamarg market on Saturday evening.
