Srinagar, Jan 5: Two houseboats were gutted in a fire incident at Ghat number 9 in Dal Lake Srinagar on Wednesday morning, officials said.
They said fire broke out in two houseboats namely New Zealand belonging to Bashir Ahmad Badiyari son of Ghulam Mohammad and Apollo Eleven belonging to Muneer Ahmad Khar son of Mohammad Yousuf Khar got damaged.
“Government has totally neglected the houseboat industry. We demand adequate fire-fighting mechanisms in Dal and Nigeen lake,” a houseboat owner told news agency Kashmir Dot Com.
Houseboat Owners Association (HBOA), has appealed to the government to provide relief to owners of these houseboats. They said reconstruction of a deluxe houseboat would cost around Rs three crore.
“We make a fervent appeal to Lt Governor administration to look into the matter and direct the concerned officers to take measures for saving our houseboats,” they added. (KDC)
