Government to spend crores on Gondola

From Shankarachrya to Makhdoom Sahib Shrine

ARIF SHAFI WANI


Srinagar, Jan 24: Entertaining tourists throughout the year in the cool hills of Gulmarg, Gondola is now set to take them for a joyride over Dal Lake if a government plan takes shape.
For attracting tourists and to provide alternative mode of transport to locals, the Government is mulling cable car on the pattern of Gulmarg Gondola over the lake from the Shankarachrya hill at Dal Gate to Makhdoom Sahib Shrine in the old city.
The Government through Tourism Department has carried out a survey of the probable spots on Shankarachrya hills and Makhdoom Sahib Shrine where ropeways would be installed. The ambitious plan also envisages revival of the historical city of Nagar Nagar, built by Mughal Emperor Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar in 1589, by facilitating cable car through the historical monuments and shrines in old city.
Besides Dal, the passengers can have aerial view of Koh-i-Maran hillock, Hari Parbat Fort and its walled enclosure called Kalai, Makhdoom Sahib Shrine, Kathi Darwaza, Sangeen Darwaza, and Badamwari.
“To survive the stiff competition, we have to offer something new to the tourists. Who would imagine a Gondola ride over the Dal Lake? It would be an environmental and cultural sojourn. Our aim is to boost tourism and revive our historical monuments,” Director Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah told Greater Kashmir.
Shah who has been instrumental in the construction of world’s highest cable car at Gulmarg said the ropeway over Dal would be installed after getting clearance from the departments concerned and the High Court which is monitoring the Lake’s conservation.
Farooq said instead of concrete structures that might harm the Lake’s ecosystem they intend to install a few iron towers in the lake, and that too after consultations with the locals, environmentalists and other groups who may have doubts or queries over the project.
Shah said the Cable Car Corporation would prepare feasibility report of the project. The Ropeway and Industrial Division of a Government of India enterprise, RITES Ltd, has carried out the initial survey of the cable car at Makhdoom Sahib Shrine. In the second phase, the Government is also planning to extend the cable car to Badamwari.
The Tourism Department through INTACH has prepared a conservation plan named ‘The Ancient walled city of Srinagar’ for preservation of Nagar Nagar Archeological Park.
“The cable car passengers can take a stroll in the Archeological Park and closely observe the historical monuments. This will be a trail through nature and history,” Shah said.

Code:

http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=26_1_2009&ItemID=45&cat=1