“We have received a letter to this effect and the government has decided to ferry (people using) army rafts across the lake,” the speaker told The Express Tribune. Baig said that the raft would carry passengers as well as luggage but said that the service would be offered on alternate days. “A raft can accommodate around 150 to 200 passengers so trips on alternate days should be sufficient,” he said. The government had earlier banned boat services in the 23-kilometre-long lake after it froze.
The decision to resume the raft service in the lake has been taken in view of the problems being faced by the stranded people of Hunza and Gojal as bad weather has also forced the suspension of helicopter services between the two towns, Baig said, adding that the raft service would start immediately.
He said that he visited Hunza a couple of days ago and realised the severity of the situation. Baig said if the weather permitted, helicopter services would also be resumed by the end of this month. People in Hunza told the media a few days ago that nearly 300 people had been stranded in Gulmit following the suspension of helicopter and boat services.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2011.
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