SRINAGAR: Houseboat Owners Association (HOA) on Saturday asked state government to install the latest mechanized sewage disposal system on subsidy.
Addressing a press conference here, chairman HOA Mohammad Yousuf Chapri said in order to preserve the environment of lakes and water bodies they had been requesting the government and Tourism Department for installation of latest sewage disposal system on subsidy.
Chapri also demanded the compensation and rehabilitation for gutted and sunken houseboats.
He also said that the cost of the timber has gone high so they ask the government to grant 50 percent subsidy on timber or issue the timber for the repair on royalty basis.
The association also demanded firefighting stations in Dal and Nigeen lakes.
“In the past few years nearly five houseboats were gutted by fire. We demand a firefighting stations in Dal and Nigeen lakes in view of the fact that the b houseboat is a very costly wooden structure and the credible fire fighting system in place,” they said.
They also said that during the turmoil period in the Valley the houseboat owners have suffered the most and in order to rehabilitant them a package was sanctioned under Prime Minister’s relief Package.
“But due to the por tourism we were not able to repay the package to the banks. Now we request the government to waive total amount of package,” they said.

Reader correspondent