Srinagar, Oct 27: The government on Monday said it had sought clearance from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to begin work on the proposed cable car project at Baisaran in Pahalgam, the site of the April 22 terror attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly of tourists.
Responding to an unstarred question by MLA Pahalgam, Altaf Ahmad Wani in the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the tourism portfolio, said the project work had already been allotted to a company but had not started “in view of the post-Pahalgam scenario.”
According to the reply, the J&K Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) has identified the alignment for the 1.4-km-long project, which will connect Yatri Niwas in Pahalgam with Baisaran.
The total land required for the project – about 9.13 hectares – belongs to the Forest Department.
The government said that the JKCCC floated tenders for engaging a consultant to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and tender documents.
The work has been allotted to Ronmas India Pvt Ltd after the tender process was finalised and an agreement was signed between the JKCCC and the company.
However, the executing agency has not been able to begin its assignment due to security restrictions in the aftermath of the April 22 attack.
The company has sought permission to conduct topographical and geotechnical studies at the project site.
“The matter for grant of permission to conduct the site visit has been taken up with the deputy commissioner, Anantnag, who has conveyed that it needs to be referred to the NIA,” the minister said in the reply.
The Tourism Department has now approached the NIA for the necessary clearance.
The government said that once permission is granted, the consultant would immediately start work on the project, which is estimated to cost between Rs 100 and 120 crore.
The government said the project, once approved, would be completed within 18 months.
