Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, one of India’s most haunted terror attack sites, where 26 civilians were killed after verifying their religious identities by Pakistan-based terrorists on April 22 this year, will soon be connected with the cable car to ferry tourists.
Before launching the ambitious project, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), probing the terror attack case, has formally given its clearance to the Union Territory administration for launching the cable car construction project.
The project work has been assigned to a qualified agency, Ronmas India Pvt. Ltd. According to the Tourism Department, the project is estimated to cost Rs 100-120 crore, and the work shall be completed within the shortest possible time of 18 months.
In the absence of a formal clearance, the company could not begin the groundwork.
NIA officials said the anti-terror agency was approached for its views on the project by the Union territory administration.
“We were asked about our views (about starting the cable car project) and we conveyed that we do not have any objection from the investigation angle,” an official said.
According to official sources, the alignment for the 1.4-km project has been identified by the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC).
“The lower terminal point is located near the Yatri Niwas in Pahalgam and the upper terminal point is located in Baisaran.
The total length of the project would be 1.4 km. The... 9.13 Hects (land required) for the project belongs to the Forest Department,” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who holds the tourism portfolio, said in a written reply during the recent Autumn session of the J&K Legislative Assembly.
The government said the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) has floated tenders for the engagement of a consultant for the preparation of a detailed project report and a tender document for the said project.
An agreement has been signed between the JKCCC and the executing agency. However, the agency could not carry out its assignment in view of the post-Pahalgam scenario, the CM said. The executing agency has sought permission to visit the site for conducting topography and geotechnical studies.
“The matter for grant of permission to conduct site visit has been taken up with the deputy commissioner, Anantnag, who has conveyed to take up the matter with the National Investigation Agency,” the Department of Tourism said.