Ganderbal, Oct 20: The Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) has sought the closure of the Sonamarg bypass road after 6:00 PM to curb the movement of vehicles allegedly transporting illegal construction materials under the cover of darkness.
Reports suggest that some miscreants have been using the bypass road at night to ferry unauthorized building materials, taking advantage of the limited night-time monitoring by the authorities. The Tourism Authority has acknowledged its inability to effectively patrol the stretch due to the absence of shelter or night-duty facilities for staff, creating what officials describe as a “serious security loophole.”
Confirming the development, Chief Executive Officer of Sonamarg Development Authority, Dr. Mantasha Rashid told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the authority has formally approached the Sonamarg Police and the district administration for immediate intervention. “We have requested the Sonamarg Police to close the bypass road after 6:00 PM for all tippers and material-carrying vehicles to prevent illegal movement,” she said.
Dr. Mantasha Rashid added that the authority has also written to the Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ganderbal, seeking his intervention and directions to the Station House Officer (SHO) Sonamarg to deploy additional police personnel at the tunnel exit to ensure enforcement.
“In addition, a request has been made to the Tunnel Administration to restrict movement through the bypass after 6:00 PM,” Dr. Rashid said, emphasizing that the joint coordination of police and administrative agencies is crucial to plug the loopholes being exploited by unscrupulous elements.
Sources said that the bypass road, primarily meant for tourist and controlled vehicular movement, has increasingly been misused during night hours by tippers and trucks transporting construction materials without valid permits. The activity, according to officials, not only violates construction norms but also poses environmental and safety concerns in the ecologically fragile Sonamarg area. [KNT]
