Sonamarg out of bounds for tourists, locals

Srinagar-Sonamarg road continues to remain closed since December last year due to heavy snowfall.
The 80-km-long Srinagar-Sonamarg highway is closed for last more than four months, and authorities are not allowing any vehicular moment on the road, after it was closed following the heavy snowfall in Sonamarg area.
However, official sources said the snow clearance work on the road has almost been completed.
Hundreds of tourists who throng Sonamarg everyday have to return disappointed as the road beyond Gagengar, a village 8 kms before Sonamarg remains closed.
The authorities have erected barricades on Srinagar-Sonamarg road near Gagengar to stop any traffic movement on the road.
“We often visit Kashmir and got to Sonamarg during summers, but this time it is closed even in mid April. Our vehicle was not allowed to move ahead from here,” Deepak Kumar, a tourist said. Apart from tourists, hoteliers and other local traders rue the closure of Sonamarg road.
Locals said focus of the government is only on twin resorts of Gulmarg and Pahalgam and Sonamarg is being neglected.
Meanwhile, Chief Engineer BRO, A K Das said the snow clearance work on Sonamarg road has been completed, and road opening decision has to be taken by the district administration.
“The snow clearance work on the Sonamarg road has been completed, and our machinery and workers have moved beyond Sonamarg for the road clearance operation,” A K Das told .
He further said there always remain some apprehensions of slides beyond Gagengar on Sonamarg road, and after proper survey of the road it will be thrown open officially.
Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Showket Aijaz was not available for his comments.
SP Ganderbal, Imtiyaz Ismail said he will take up the matter with DC Ganderbal.
“I will take up the matter regarding road opening with DC Ganderbal, adding that after proper assessment of the conditions, the road will be thrown open for traffic,” Imtiyaz told