G N Raina
Ganderbal, Jun 25 (KNS): The Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) in collaboration with stake holders including SASB/NGO’s on Tuesday launched a special sanitation drive in Sonamarg, Nilgrath helipad and Dumail Baltal in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal.

Around 100 men including School students and several machines were pressed into service to clean the Sonamarg bowl and to clean the area.

The drive flagged off by, Chief Executive Officer Sonamarg Development Authority Shabir Ahmad and was carried out under the supervision of Assistant Executive Engineer (SDA) Zahoor Ah Sheikh.

The drive was carried at Sonamarg office, meadow, Nilgrath village, Shutkadi village, Sonamarg market, Dumail Baltal helipad and its adjacent areas.

Chief Executive Officer (SDA) said that all drains were cleaned and silt, phenyl was sprayed and the areas were fumigated.

He said that apart from main Sonamarg Office and markets, roads and meadow of Sonamarg were also cleaned and, during the drive.

“This drive is meant to make our meadow garbage free. The good thing is that people are very cooperative and are contributing a lot in making the Sonamarg beautiful and garbage free,” Assistant Executive Engineer, Zahoor Ahmad Sheikh said.

He said that shopkeepers and pony wallas were told to call SDA, helpline in case of any unattended garbage.

“The SDA will respond quickly in case of any complaint and ensure the tourists and Yatris do not face inconvenience on account of unhygienic conditions in Sonamarg,” he added.

The Chief Executive Officer SDA in his tour reviewed the sanitation of the area and also took stock of other issues like, street lights, beautification of parks and maintenance of assets.

“We appeal shopkeepers and pony wallas to put the garbage in the SDA dustbins installed in different spots of Sonamarg so that SDA take the garbage to its scientific disposal,” he added. (KNS)