Sonamarg: Sonamarg residents and traders in Ganderbal district are demanding the establishment of a seasonal fire station following a recent fire incident that damaged a residential quarter on Monday evening. They highlighted that Sonamarg has experienced several fire incidents over the years, resulting in significant property damage, yet the lack of a fire station in the area has left them vulnerable.
According to the traders, the nearest fire tender has to travel from the Gund area, approximately 23 kilometres away, which leads to delays in responding to fire emergencies. Despite assurances from authorities about setting up a seasonal fire tender unit in Sonamarg, no concrete steps have been taken yet.
Expressing frustration, a local resident, Rouf Ahmad, mentioned that while there have been promises from successive governments and senior administration officials, there has been little progress on the ground.
In response to these concerns, locals and traders are urging the Lieutenant Governor, District Administration Ganderbal, and the Director of Fire and Emergency to expedite the establishment of a fire service station in Sonamarg to ensure the safety and security of residents and properties in the area.