Sonamarg locals, traders reiterate need for fire station

Ganderbal, May 14: Following another fire incident that damaged a residential quarter late Monday night, residents and traders in Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district have reiterated their appeal to the authorities to establish a seasonal fire station in the area.
Shabir Ahmad, a representative of the Beopar Mandal in Sonamarg told Rising Kashmir that the stakeholders and traders have been advocating for this facility for over three decades, but no substantial action has been taken so far. He said that Sonamarg, a prominent tourist destination in Kashmir, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, with many staying overnight.
“Decades ago, after a devastating fire destroyed the main market of Sonamarg, we were promised a seasonal fire station. Unfortunately, that promise remains unfulfilled,” Ahmad lamented.
The recent fire incident, which saw a residential quarter of a hotel go up in flames, further underscores the urgency of our demand, he said.
Police, residents, the transit camp Sonamarg, and Mega Engineering had to rely on water tankers to control the blaze before the fire services, located 23 kilometres away, could arrive.
“The fire station’s distance means it cannot respond promptly to incidents in Sonamarg,” Ahmad said, stressing that the safety of the area’s numerous hotels, government properties, and shops necessitates an on-site fire station.
Given that Sonamarg now remains open year-round, he argued, a permanent fire station is essential.
Residents said they have repeatedly raised this critical issue with authorities, but their appeals have largely been ignored. “We now urge the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to address this serious concern and take immediate steps to establish a fire station in Sonamarg to prevent future tragedies,” they said.