The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Shafqat Iqbal today directed the concerned departments to ensure availability of adequate allied facilities to the tourists at Sonamarg resort, scheduled to reopen in coming days after remaining closed during winters.The DC gave these directions during a meeting convened here to review the status of restoration of affected essential services due to snowfall at the tourist place.At the outset, 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 meeting was informed that both men and machinery are already on job and most of the essential services have been restored, while the rest shall be done in a couple of days.The DC exhorted upon all the officers to take stock of ground situation at the tourist destination, so that all the restoration works including smooth power and water supply, functioning of hospital, police station etc is conducted before its opening for tourists.The Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) was asked to assess the ground situation, and take necessary measures for repairing the damages, if any, well in time so that the visitors do not have to face any inconvenience due to lack of any facility.It was also directed to ensure snow clearance on all link roads and parking places while the main road already stands cleared by 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 assessing 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 the same 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 the 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 preparations so that the tourists are provided all required facilities for a comfortable stay.The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Farooq Ahmed Baba, SDM Kangan, Hakeem Tanveer, CMO Ganderbal, Executive Engineers of Jal Shakti, KPDCL and Sonamarg Development Authority, ARO Ganderbal, Dy. Sp Ganderbal, Dy. SP traffic besides representatives of Hotelier Association Sonamarg and Beopar Mandal Sonamarg.