Hoteliers welcome govt’s initiative of keeping Sonamarg open in winters
‘… but ensure required services for its success’
Srinagar: Welcoming the government initiative of keeping Sonamarg open in winters, chairman J&K Hoteliers Club, Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya Wednesday appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to ensure required services remain available for smooth movement of tourists at the resort.
Addressing a press conference at Sonamarg, Chaya said the government is gearing up to keep the hill resort Sonamarg open during winter. “Facilities should be available to tourists, especially heating arrangements in hotels, water and electricity besides a proper plan for its promotion at all levels as a winter destination so that tourists can have the best experience,” he said.
“We stand side by side with the government and we will make it successful. In the winter season, the government also has to provide electricity here, besides the road connectivity should be ensured,” he added.
Farooq Hafiz, president JKHC’s Sonamarg chapter club said that fire-fighting and water-storage are among the main demands that are needed in Sonmarg to keep the winter tourism going.
He also appealed to LG Sinha to ensure required services for smooth movement of tourists to and from Sonmarg during the winter.
Notably, the Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole had recently visited Sonamarg where he chaired a high-level meeting of officers to review winter preparedness for keeping the resort open.
JKHC secretary general Tariq Ghani requested the Tourism department to hold a grand New Year event at Sonmarg so that more tourists and locals are attracted to the hill resort.
