Bypass for Leh-bound traffic to boost tourism in Sonamarg

Sonamarg, June 4 (UNI) In a move to boost tourism and ease traffic burden on this busy picnic spot, the authorities propose to construct a bypass from Shuthkadi to outer Sonamarg by 2007 for all Leh-bound vehicles, mainly military convoy.

Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nazir Ahmed Mir told UNI that the length of the bypass would be about 3.5 km and would ease the traffic burden on Sonamarg commonly known as Golden Meadow the world over for its breathtaking beauty, sparkling glaciers, fascinating landscapes, high altitude lakes, majestic river Sind (Indus) and mighty mountains.

He said the Project Beacon of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has prepared a feasibility report and has assured the road would be constructed in one full working season.

''The bypass from Shuthkadi bridge to Sonamarg village is likely to be constructed by 2007. The Project Beacon authorities have assured us that the road will be completed within one full working season which comes to about five months,'' Mr Mir added.

He said the move would give a major boost to tourism in this resort, about 85 kms from Srinagar.

The CEO said having enormous potential for adventure tourism, the SDA has made allout efforts for the past two years to organise all sorts of sports activities at Sonamarg.

With the upgradation and expansion of the basic infrastructure, including civic amenities and adventure tourism activities, the tourist influx has increased manifold at Sonamarg, he added.

Mr Mir said about seven lakh tourists, including Amarnath pilgrims, visited Sonamarg last year. ''Efforts are being made by the SDA to bring Sonamarg at par with other developed tourist resorts such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam as far as the infrastructure development is concerned,'' he added.

The CEO said the villages in and around Sonamarg were being developed as tourist villages under the rural tourism scheme in order to provide alternate accommodation to the visitors and a source of income generation for the locals.

Under the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Programme, a modern shopping complex, a golf course, an international youth hostel, a club having conference besides facilities for indoor games, a tourist reception centre and a yatri niwas would be constructed by the SDA, he added.

The CEO said the upgradation of power supply has also been taken by the Authority which was set up in September 2003. The SDA had got only 11 working months so far since it was established, he added.

Mr Mir said the formulation of a master plan for Sonamarg was in its final stage in order to channelise and guide the infrastructures development activities in a well-planned manner.

UNI AG DKS KN1751