DC reviews regulation of services at Sonamarg

GANDERBAL, May 13: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Shyambir today convened a meeting of officers to review the regulation of services and finalize the rates for various sightseeing locations at Sonamarg tourist destination.

At the outset, a detailed discussion was held on rates charged for sightseeing by transporters, ponywalas and Snow bikers at Sonamarg.

After threadbare discussion rates for sightseeing around the Sonamarg were decided unanimously and CEO Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) was asked to install a rate list at taxi stand and other prominent locations in and around the Sonamarg besides ensuring rates decided are implemented in letter and spirit.

The DC directed the CEO SDA that stickers shall be pasted on all registered vehicles and no unregistered vehicle shall be allowed to ferry tourists for sightseeing at Sonamarg. It was also decided that no vehicle shall be allowed to park on the roadside and parking facilities for such vehicles shall be made at Truck Yard.

The meeting also discussed the proposal for establishment of a prepaid Taxi stand and pony stand for which CEO SDA was asked to take necessary steps in this regard. The DC also directed for establishing a joint Control Room at Sonamarg for the convenience of the tourists.

It was also decided that a monitoring committee shall be framed which will look after the regulation of various services at Sonamarg and shall work under the overall supervision of SDM Kangan.

While reviewing the status of registration, the CEO SDA was directed to carry an intensive drive for registration of all service providers besides all business operators shall be registered. He was also directed to issue Identity Cards to registered service providers.

The meeting also discussed sanitation measures at Sonamarg and CEO SDA was asked to carry out regular sanitation drives involving other stakeholders.

The meeting was attended by SSP Ganderbal, Nikhil Borkar, ADDC Ganderbal, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani CEO SDA, SDM Kangan, ARTO and other concerned officers.