Passengers, critically-ill airlifted as Gurez remains cut-off

Over 400 passengers have flown in and out of Gurez which this winter season including emergency medical evacuations since November.

Officials in Gurez said that on Thursday over 60 passengers flew into the snow-bound valley which includes its remotest region of Tulail.

   

The government has also fixed airfare charges for the passengers flying through air sorties from Bandipora to Dawar and Tulail and vice versa.

The airfare from Bandipora to Dawar is Rs 2000 per passenger and for those going to Tulail, it is Rs 3000.

Recently, two medical evacuations were also facilitated by the administration wherein a pregnant woman and a critically-injured girl was flown to Bandipora and later referred to Srinagar for advanced treatment.

The locals have complained about healthcare facilities in the region, particularly shortage of staff.

According to SDM Gurez, Mudasir Ahmad, over 450 passengers have flown from Gurez valley since November 15 when the snowfall closed the 87-km Gurez-Bandipora road.

Though the road was reopened by the Border Roads Organisation, the inclement weather forced its closure for over 15 days and is no likely to open only after winter months.

Meanwhile, the sorties are being arranged on a daily basis as registrations increase.

The closure of Tulail road, which is another 60 km from Dawar in Gurez has cut-off over 48 hamlets.

Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Owais Ahmad said, “Priority is being given to airlift patients, elderly persons, and students.”

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