Vehicular movement to Thajwas glacier restricted

Sonamarg, Nov 19: Sonamarg Development Authority has imposed a blanket ban on the construction of activities and plying of vehicles towards Thajwas glacier area.
The order has been issued in compliance with the court directions that came up in 2017.
Besides the ban on construction activity, repairs or renovations to the existing structures at Sonamarg has also been banned.
It has also accorded directions for the restriction of vehicular traffic and human interference towards Thajwas area in view of its eco-sensitiveness.
“As such it is enjoined upon all the field officers/officials (Engineering Wing) of Sonamarg Development Authority not to allow any construction activity including the internal repairs and renovations at Sonamarg”
Further, the officials posted at the toll post are directed to keep a close vigil on every movement of the vehicles entering in the tourist destination Sonamarg and not to allow any construction material within the jurisdiction of Sonamarg Development Authority.
The order reads that if any constructional material is found at the tourist destination Sonamarg, it shall be treated as a dereliction of duties on the part of the enforcement team of SDA constituted under endorsement under the supervision of Ex. Engineer, SDA and shall be dealt with the iron hand under relevant provisions of Law presently in vogue in J&K.
The outsourcer of toll post at Shutkadi has also been directed not to allow any construction material with the jurisdiction of Sonamarg Development Authority, failing which outsourcing contract shall be terminated at his risk and cost. [KNT]