Minster for R&B, Floriculture, Gardens & Parks, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today visited Sonamarg and took stock of the damages caused due to the recent cloudburst in the area.Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, while briefing the Minister regarding the incident, said the district administration immediately launched rescue and relief operation after the incident in the area. He said 4 persons have lost their lives and 12 have been injured. He said two of the deceased hailed from Rajasthan, one each from Shopian and Delhi, while as the injured after receiving first aid at Baltal were referred to SKIMS for further treatment. The Deputy Commissioner said a portion of Sonamarg-Baltal road at Neelgrat that was damaged and blocked has been restored and cleared for the traffic. He assured that the road blocked at Fish Point in Sonamarg would be restored shortly.
The Minister directed Deputy Commissioner to intensify the restoration operation for early resumption of Yatra. Talking to the people and Yatris, the Minister assured them that the Government shall extend every possible help to the affected people. He said the district administration has already been providing uninterrupted assistance to the people. He said that ex-gratia relief would be provided to the deceased and affected as per the SDRF norms.Deputy Commissioner said that a team of revenue and police officials has been deployed to assess the damage and will submit a report within two days. He said sufficient stocks of essentials have been made available at Baltal camp.
With regard to compensation to damaged houses at Sonamarg, Altaf Bukhari said that the matter would be taken up with the Chief Minister. He also appreciated the efforts put in by the district administration, and said that those who did a good job would be encouraged.Giving a message to intending Yatris to come for this pilgrimage, the Minister said that all is well here and the government has put in place all facilities for their convenience.