Raja Syed Rather
Ganderbal, Jun 22: The tourists at the famous picnic destination Sonamarg have expressed disappointment over the dilapidated pony track leading to the Thajwas Glacier.
Keeping in view the ecological disaster at the glacier area, the authorities banned vehicular traffic on an almost five-kilometre-track leading to Thajwas Glacier and earmarked a pony track for the convenience of tourists.
The ponnywalas said that not more than one kilometre of the track has been properly maintained while the rest still remains in shambles.
The bad condition of the track poses a grave threat, especially during rains, as it turns slippery, a ponnywala said, adding that many tourists have fallen down.
He said that over the past year, numerous tourists have fallen off horses due to the animals’ inability to walk properly on the track. There is an urgent need for repairing the tracks, he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer, Sonamarg Development Authority, assured that the track will be maintained properly up to the glacier.
“We have prepared the proposal and it will be finalized soon,” he said.
