REGIONAL

Sonmarg sumo drivers demand taxi stand at Gagangeer

By News Desk

January 25, 2023

Drivers in Sonmarg Wednesday appealed to district administration Ganderbal to provide them space for a Sumo Stand in the Gagangeer area during winter.

They said that in absence of any Sumo Stand, they are forced to park their vehicles on the roadside which not only leads to traffic jams but tourists also face inconvenience.

President ‘Sumo and Taxi Union Sonmarg’, Bashir Ahmed Raina told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that they have a permanent stand at Sonmarg but after the snowfall in winter, authorities direct them to shift their base to Gagangeer, but at Gagangeer, there is no stand for them.

“We appeal to the district administration particularly DC Ganderbal, SDM Kangan and Tehsildar Gund to allow them to construct a temporary stand at Gagangeer on state land for the winters,” he said adding that in absence of any stand, tourists are being exploited by the stray vehicles whose drivers charge extra rates from them contrary to the rates fixed by the government. [KNT]