SONAMARG: The recent inauguration of tunnel by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this Gagangeer and Sonamarg area has brought a surge of development to the region but at a steep cost. Two villages – Rezan and Gagangeer – once thriving tourist hubs, have been left eerily deserted, leaving residents and traders in a state of distress.
The market, which was once dotted with bustling hotels, dabas and shops, now wears a desolate look. Traders in the area are lamenting the diversion of traffic through the tunnel, which has effectively cut off their customer base.
“We’re not against development, but our businesses will suffer greatly with the diversion of traffic, We urge the authorities to divert at least one-way traffic via the Gagangeer area so that our businesses can survive,” said a local resident of Gagangeer.
Residents have requested the government and District Administration Ganderbal to provide any alternative route to ensure businesses remain viable. They also called for immediate action to address the concerns of locals and traders
The tunnel, which runs beneath the villages, has diverted all traffic, leaving the once-thriving roads empty and still. Residents are now demanding that the authorities provide an alternative route to ensure that their businesses remain viable.
Yawar Rashid, owner of Snowbar restaurant, highlighted the severity of the situation, saying the area has over 30 hotels, hundreds of shops, and numerous restaurants, all of which are struggling to stay afloat.
“The impact of the tunnel’s inauguration is evident in the deserted streets, where children can be seen playing cricket all day,” Yawar said.” We urge the authorities to take immediate action to address our concerns and provide a viable solution to this crisis.”
As the traders struggle to adapt to the new reality the tunnel’s inauguration has brought about a seismic shift in the fortunes of these two villages. The fate of these once-thriving tourist hubs now hangs in the balance, as residents and traders await a solution to this crisis.
Once a tourist hub, Gagangeer now wears deserted look; how a tunnel changed everything
