Explore more Gandola projects under PPP mode: CS

SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta today chaired the 33rd meeting of Board of Directors (BoD) of the J&K Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) here in which important decisions regarding expansion of activities of the corporation were taken by the members of the Board.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Finance; Secretary, Tourism; Director Tourism, Kashmir; DG, Budget; DG, Expenditure Division-I; MD, JKCCC besides other concerned officers.

During the BoD meeting, Dr Mehta impressed upon the officers to take up the work of maintenance and upgradation of Gulmarg Gandola an earliest as it is a major asset of the corporation and caters to thousands of tourists each month. He asked for carrying out thorough inspections of all of its installations by a technical team so as to ensure safety and comfort of the tourists.

The Chief Secretary enjoined upon the officers of the Corporation to explore the possibility of establishing many such cable car projects across the tourist places of the UT. He advised them to look at the tourist destinations not covered under other schemes such as Bharat Mala.

Dr Mehta observed that many of the tourist locations like Sarthal, Mantalai, Sanasar, Doodhpathri, Baderwah and Baisaran (Pahalgam) have tremendous potential of attracting tourists by establishment of cable car projects at these locations. He said that a mechanism under Public-Private partnership should be contemplated over for executing these projects in a time-bound manner.

Regarding the Peerkhoo-Mubarak Mandi vertical lift the Chief Secretary enjoined upon the officers to take up the project forthwith. He said that the project is long awaited and should be developed as an added attraction at Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex. The package includes connecting it with the tourist places of Bahu Fort and Mahamaya Temple complex.

The Chief Secretary also told the Corporation to have a relook on the alignment of Makhdoom Sahib Ropeway project so that its lower boarding station is readily accessible to the devotees going up to the Sufi Shrine. He told them to extend the ropeway right up to the Hari Parbat Fort for attracting more visitors towards this facility.

During the meeting the Board deliberated upon various agenda items that includes establishment of around six drag lifts at locations of Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, Gulmarg, Kangdoori, Padri (Baderwah) and Sanasar for promoting skiing at these locations. Further the corporation is going to construct ski shops at all the aforesaid destinations for the sport to take off at these locations.

The Board was apprised that the corporation is installing vertical lift between the Peerkho Station of Jammu Ropeway Project and Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex at an estimated cost of about Rs 27 Cr. The Project had been bifurcated into two stages with one being vertical rise of 38 meters and 30 meters, and two horizontal foot bridges of  34 meters and 30 meters span.  It was also added that the Project will have three stations, 02 viewing decks, with parking facility.  The vertical lift will have carrying capacity of 13 passengers at a time.

Regarding the performance of the Corporation, the Board was informed that the corporation earned the net profit of Rs 20.21 Cr from the year 2019-20 to 2021-22 despite Covid-19 restrictions during the period. It was also informed  that the corporation’s financial health has improved a lot over the last few years and  has generated the record revenue of Rs 100 Cr during the year 2022-23  receiving praise from none other than Union Finance Minister herself during her Budget speech.