Jammu and Kashmir government planning several ropeways in Jammu

JAMMU: In an effort to boost tourism in three regions, Jammu and Kashmir government is planning to construct several ropeways in the state.

"The government is planning several ropeways in an effort to boost tourism in three regions of the state," minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla said today.

Work on several new projects like cable car projects from Peerkho to Mahamaya, Mahamaya to Shahabad in Bahu Fort and one at Patnitop are in the pipeline, besides an artificial lake close to Tawi River are under progress, Bhalla said while addressing a high level meeting here.

Central Empowerment Committee chairman P V Jaya and members M K Muthoo and Mahandna Viyas were present at the meeting.

Tourism is one the major economic activities in the state and lakhs of pilgrims come to visit the Vaishno Devi and Amarnath shrines, apart from visiting the beautiful spots in Jammu, Srinagar and Ladakh regions, Bhalla said.

In order to facilitate tourist movements to historical monuments and with a further aim to boost tourism in these parts of the state, the minister said, the State Cable Car Corporation has approved installation of passenger ropeways, which will be facilitating movement of tourists across Tawi River.

Bhalla informed that these will be major tourist attractions in the heart of Jammu along with the lake being developed across Tawi River and a Golf Course, which has come up nearby.

The government has alloted Rs 1.86 crore to the Collector, Land Acquisition, Jammu for speedy clearance of land compensation process of the Bagh-e-Bahu and Mubarak Mani cable car projects, he said.

Bhalla added that the state is already famous for the world's highest cable car service at Gulmarg and steps are on to promote similar service at other places of tourist attraction.