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Srinagar, Nov 2 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has given approval to the Jammu and Kashmir government for a cable car project in Baisarn, a tourist spot in Pahalgam. Officials gave this information on Sunday.
Approval of the cable car project for Pahalgam’s Baisaran grassland was delayed due to the terrorist attack in Baisaran on April 22, in which 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local pony owner, were killed by Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists.
Jammu and Kashmir had sought clearance from the NIA, which is probing the attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed by Pakistan-based terrorists.
NIA officials said the counter-terrorism agency was approached by the Union Territory administration to seek its views on the project.
“We were asked our views (about starting the cable car project) and we told that from the investigation point of view we have no objection,” officials said.
On October 27, in response to an unstarred question by Pahalgam MLA Altaf Ahmed Wani in the Assembly, the government said the project work has been allotted to a company but it has not started “in view of the post-Pahalgam scenario”.
The alignment for the 1.4 kilometer project has been identified by the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC).
“The lower terminal point is located near the passenger residence at Pahalgam, and the upper terminal point is located at Baisaran. The total length of the project will be 1.4 km. 9.13 hectares (required land) for the project belongs to the forest department,” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who holds the tourism portfolio, said in a written reply adding that the JK Corporation (JKCCC) has issued tenders for the appointment of a consultant for the preparation of a detailed project report and a tender document. The said project.
The tenders have been finalized and the work has been allotted to a qualified agency – Ronmas India Private Limited. Ltd. An agreement has been signed between JKCCC and the executing agency.
However, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said that the agency could not complete its work considering the post-Pahalgam scenario. The executing agency has sought permission to visit the site to conduct topography and geotechnical studies.
“The matter of granting permission to visit the site has been taken up with the Deputy Commissioner of Anantnag, who has been asked to take up the matter with the NIA.”
According to the tourism department, the project is estimated to cost Rs 100-120 crore and the work will be completed within at least 18 months.
–IANS
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