New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has granted clearance to the Jammu and Kashmir government for the construction of a cable car project in Baisaran, Pahalgam — the site of the April 22 terror attack — officials said on Sunday.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration had sought the NIA’s approval since the agency is investigating the attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists, at the hands of Pakistan-based terrorists.
According to officials, the NIA was consulted by the Union Territory administration regarding the project. “We were asked for our opinion on the proposed cable car project, and we conveyed that there is no objection from the investigation standpoint,” an NIA official stated.
Earlier, on October 27, while responding to an unstarred question from Pahalgam MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, the government confirmed that although the contract for the project had been awarded, work had not commenced due to the “post-Pahalgam scenario.”
The 1.4-kilometre-long cable car alignment has been identified by the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC). The lower terminal will be located near Yatri Niwas in Pahalgam, and the upper terminal at Baisaran. The project, which requires 9.13 hectares of forest land, falls under the Tourism Department headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The JKCCC had earlier floated tenders to appoint a consultant for preparing a detailed project report (DPR) and tender documents. The work was subsequently allotted to Ronmas India Pvt. Ltd., following the finalisation of tenders and signing of an agreement between the two parties.
However, the executing agency was unable to initiate its assignment due to the prevailing security situation after the attack. It has now sought permission to visit the site for topographical and geotechnical surveys.
“The request for conducting site visits has been forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, who advised taking up the matter with the National Investigation Agency,” the Department of Tourism said.
The Rs 100–120 crore project is expected to be completed within 18 months once work begins, officials added.
