Gondola project in Pahalgam put on hold as NIA reviews site permission, says Tourism Minister

Srinagar: The proposed Gondola project in Pahalgam has been halted as the executing agency awaits permission from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to resume ground surveys and technical studies, the Jammu and Kashmir government said on Monday.

Tourism minister, per news agency Kashmir News Observer, informed the house that the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) had finalised tenders and signed an agreement with a consultant for the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and related work.

He said that the process came to a halt following restrictions after the Pahalgam terror attack. “The alignment for the 1.4 km ropeway project has already been identified, with the lower terminal point near Yatri Niwas and the upper terminal point at Baisaran. About 9.13 hectares land, belonging to the Forest Department, has been earmarked for the project, which is estimated to cost between Rs 100 and Rs 120 crore,” he said.

He added that the agency has requested permission to visit the site for topographical and geotechnical studies. “The matter has been taken up with the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, who has conveyed that it is under consideration with the NIA”, the minister said.

He said that work on the project will begin immediately once the NIA grants clearance, with an expected completion period of 18 months.