NHLML to invite bids for 3 more projects
*52 ropeways to come up in J&K
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 22: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said bids have been invited by the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) for preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for development of three ropeway projects including 11.6 kilometers long Baltal to Shri Amarnath Ji cave shrine in Anantnag district.
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“The bids for preparation of DPRs for three more ropeway projects are also being invited. However, the bids have been annulled by the NHLML for development of ropeway from Darshan Deodi to Shivkhori shrine with a length of 2.12 kilometers in Reasi district in view of a legal dispute,” Omar, who holds charge of the Tourism Department said in the Legislative Assembly today in response to an un-starred written question of National Conference MLA from Banihal Sajjad Shaheen.
Three ropeway projects for which the bids have been invited through NIT on January 1, 2025 by the NHLML for preparation of DPRs include 11.6 kilometers Baltal-Shri Amarnath cave shrine in Anantnag district, 8.8 kilometers long Bhaderwah to Seojdhar in Doda district and 1.6 kilometers long Sonamarg-Thajiwas Glacier in Ganderbal district.
Besides, the Chief Minister said, bids for preparation of DPRs for three more ropeway projects are being invited by the NHLML which include Doodpathri from Parihas to Diskhal and Sutharan to Tosamaidan, both in Budgam district and Nashri tunnel to Sanasar in Ramban district.
Nashri to Sanasar ropeway project has three kilometers length while the length of Doodpathri and Sutharan ropeway projects wasn’t mentioned in the written reply.
“In case of Karchiali to Wasamarg ropeway project in Ramban district, prefeasibility study is underway through NHLML, ” Omar said.
The Chief Minister referred to the March 15, 2022 decision of the Lieutenant Governor led Administrative Council and subsequent Government order dated September 6, 2023 about the development of ropeway projects through the NHLML under Parvatmala initiative.
“A list of 52 ropeway projects to be taken up for development in J&K was shared by the Government and out of these projects as reported by NHLML, bids have been invited for development of a 1.05 km ropeway project for Shankaracharya temple (in Srinagar). The project is currently under bidding and clearances are under process,” he said.
The Chief Minister said a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed on April 4, 2022 between the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Jammu and Kashmir Government for execution of ropeway projects under Parvatmala scheme.
While lakhs of pilgrims visit Amarnath cave shrine during the annual pilgrimage, Seojhdar and Sonamarg are tourist resorts attracting a good number of holiday makers round-the-year.
Construction of ropeway from Baltal, one of the two base camps, up to Shri Amarnath Ji cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas, will provide ease to the pilgrims who otherwise had to trek 13 kilometers tough track from Baltal and nearly 38 kilometers from Pahalgam in Anantnag district of South Kashmir for reaching the cave shrine for darshan of holy Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva.
Annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji shrine is conducted between June to August or July to August every year. This year, the pilgrimage will last 38 days from July 3 to August 9.
Sources said the ropeway project will also boost numbers of people undertaking pilgrimage to Lord Shiva’s cave shrine every year. However, no deadline has so far been given for completion of the ropeway project.
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