Reopening of Srinagar-Sonamarg road, which was closed for about four months due to heavy snow, has brought cheer to visitors and the business community operating in the tourist resort.
As the traders started their operations, hundreds of visitors thronged Sonamarg on last couple of days, after the road was official thrown open on Tuesday morning. The road remains closed in winters due to heavy snow, however, this year the road was opened little earlier.
“We are happy that the road has been opened, otherwise we came here last year in March but we have to move back disappointed as the road from here (Gagengar) was closed and police didn’t allow us to move ahead from here,” said
They said Sonamarg remains their favorite tourist destinations in Kashmir.
Traders and hoteliers there also expressed happiness over the opening of the road as they believe it will boost the tourism sector in the area.
“We are happy that the road has been opened early this year as compared to last year, which allows us to get few more days of our business here,” president Hotel Association Sonamarg, Farooq Ahmed Hafiz tsaid.
Director Toursim, Kashmir, Mehmood Shah said that as the road was opened early this year, Tourism Department is going to organise winter related events to attract more tourists during this season.