J&K Govt Seeks NIA Nod to Begin Work on Pahalgam Cable Car Project
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has sought clearance from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to start work on a cable car project at Baisaran in Pahalgam — the site of the April 22 terror attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly of tourists.
In a written reply to an unstarred question by Pahalgam MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the tourism portfolio, said the project has been allotted to a company but work is yet to begin “in view of the post-Pahalgam scenario.”
The 1.4-kilometre cable car project, being developed by the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC), will connect the Yatri Niwas area in Pahalgam with Baisaran. The required 9.13 hectares of land belongs to the Forest Department.
According to the government, the JKCCC has already floated and finalised tenders for appointing a consultant to prepare the detailed project report (DPR) and related documents. The contract has been awarded to Ronmas India Pvt. Ltd., and an agreement has been signed between the corporation and the executing agency.
However, the company has not been able to carry out site visits or technical studies due to security concerns following the terror attack. It has now sought permission to conduct topographical and geo-technical surveys.
“The matter has been taken up with the deputy commissioner, Anantnag, who has advised that permission be sought from the National Investigation Agency,” the government said.
The Department of Tourism confirmed that the request for site access has been sent to the NIA. Once the agency grants permission, the consultant will immediately begin work on the Rs 100–120 crore project, which is expected to be completed within 18 months.
