Sonamarg, Apr 9: The local ponywalas at this tourist spot have demanded rate revision. The ponies are used by tourists to go to Thajawas Glacier, Island Park and the other places in the upper reaches here.
“Most of the tourists who visit here prefer to go to these places on ponies that in turn generates business for the local ponywalas,” said Ghulam Muhammad Dar, a ponywala.
“With the onset of the summer the tourist flow has increased,” Dar added.
However, Dar and many of his counterparts said due to abysmally low rates “we are earning peanuts.”
They complained that the rates had not been revised since 1992. “In 1992 the government fixed Rs 300 rate from Sonamarg to Thjawas that is around 20 kms to and fro,” said Abdul Majeed Union, President Ponywalas’ Association.
“The rate of essential commodities is touching sky and we are still getting the same amount that we used to get 18 years ago,” Majeed added.
Majeed said: “Sometimes in a goodwill gesture tourists pay us little more but then we cannot charge more unless the rates are revised”.
CEO, Sonamarg Development Authority, Tasaduk Jeelani said he would look into the issue, while advising Ponywalas to approach him.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 9 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 9 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST