New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has given the Jammu and Kashmir government approval for a cable car project in the Pahalgam tourist resort of Baisaran, officials said on Sunday.
On April 22, a terrorist attack took place in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, killing 26 people. Most of the victims were tourists. The Jammu and Kashmir government had sought approval for the cable car project from the NIA, which is investigating the attack.
NIA officials said the Union Territory administration had contacted the anti-terrorism agency to seek its opinion on the project. In this regard, an official said, “We were asked about our views (on starting the cable car project) and we stated that we have no objection from the investigation point of view.”
In response to a question asked by Pahalgam MLA Altaf Ahmed Wani in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on October 27, the government said that the project work has been awarded to a company, but it has not yet begun due to the situation following the Pahalgam attack.
The alignment for the 1.4-kilometer-long project has been identified by the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC). Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who holds the charge of the Tourism Department, said in a written reply, “The lower terminal point is located near the Yatri Niwas in Pahalgam and the upper terminal point is located in Baisaran. The total length of the project will be 1.4 kilometers. The 9.13 hectares (land) required for the project belongs to the Forest Department.”
The government stated that the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) has issued tenders for the appointment of a consultant to prepare a detailed project report and tender documents for the project.
The tenders have been finalized, and the work has been awarded to a qualified agency – Ronmas India Private Limited. The Chief Minister stated, “An agreement has been signed between JKCCC and the implementing agency. However, given the post-Pahalgam situation, the agency could not complete its work.”
The implementing agency has requested permission to visit the site for topographical and geotechnical studies. The Tourism Department stated, “The matter of granting permission to visit the site has been raised with the Deputy Commissioner of Anantnag, who has directed to take up the matter with the National Investigation Agency.”
According to the department, the estimated cost of the project is ₹100-120 crore and the work will be completed within at least 18 months.
