Gulmarg Gondola, one of Asia’s largest and highest cable cars surrounded by pine forests and Himalayan mountain peaks in the ski resort of Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir, has opened for tourists this week after remaining shut for six months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The information and public relations department issued a statement on its official Twitter handle on Monday, saying, “Gulmarg gondola reopened for the public. All COVID SOPs and preventive measures are in place. Enjoy the ride to Kongdori”.
The two-stage gondola lift ferries about 600 people per hour to and from Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Apharwat Peak (4,200 m (13,780 ft)). The ropeway project is a joint venture of the Jammu and Kashmir government and French firm Pomagalski.
The Gulmarg Gondola affords a magnificent view of Nanda Devi, LOC, and Pir Panjal range. Apart from cherishing the beauty of Himalayan ranges, tourists can enjoy other activities like horse riding and snow skiing.
Further, since there have been hardly any tourists in Kashmir after August 5, 2019, when the special status of J&K was abrogated, operating the multi-crore Gondola project to minimum capacity was not considered viable.
With the approaching winter, authorities are expecting ski lovers and adventure tourists to return to Gulmarg which has been the most sought after destination for tourists both in summer and winter months.
