Move aimed at preventing damage to public assets, ensuring pedestrian safety
Ganderbal, April 30 :The Sonamarg Development Authority has prohibited the movement of ponies on footpaths, the National Highway and roadside areas in Sonamarg, citing damage to infrastructure and risks to public safety.
In an official communication to the Tourist Police, the authority said ponies were being allowed to move along pedestrian pathways and stretches of the highway, leading to deterioration of public assets and inconvenience to commuters.
The action follows a report from the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Ganderbal flagging misuse of footpaths along the Sonamarg axis of National Highway 1.
Describing the issue as serious, the authority said it has implications for safety, sanitation, and the overall environment of the tourist destination. “Movement of ponies on footpaths, the National Highway and roadside areas shall be completely prohibited under all circumstances,” the order said.
Officials said a designated pony stand has already been set up at Shutkadi, and all operators have been directed to restrict their activities to the notified zone. Any movement towards meadows, footpaths or highway stretches will be treated as a violation.
The authority has instructed enforcement agencies to step up monitoring, ensure daily patrolling, and take immediate action against violators. The Assistant Regional Transport Office (ARTO), Ganderbal, has also been asked to enforce route restrictions for vehicles, limiting access to the Old Truck Yard and designated bypass routes.
The Station House Officer, Police Station Sonamarg, and the Tourist Officer have been directed to ensure strict compliance.
Terming the matter “most urgent”, the authority has sought an action taken report at the earliest.
