Facilities to give big boost to tourists’ footfall around the year
Zip line, tubing sledge, magic carpet also made available
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 8: Finally, cable car at picturesque destination of Patnitop, which was planned about 15 years back, is all set for the soft launch in the first week of next month along with other facilities like zip line, tubing sledge and magic carpet and all these facilities would give big boost to the tourists’ footfall around the year.
The cable car at Patnitop was approved by the Board of Directors of Patnitop Development Authority in the month of January 2004. However, it was not followed by the successive Governments with the required vigour as a result of which its fate continued to hang in balance for years together.
Though during the previous PDP-BJP Coalition Government this project received impetus with the settlement of all impediments yet work gained momentum during the Governor’s Rule as progress on the project was reviewed at the highest level after regular intervals.
Now, the long wait of the people to get a ropeway of its own kind is finally over as work on the project has been completed in all respects and it is all set for the soft launch in the first week of next month.
“The soft launch of the project has been tentatively planned for June 6 and we have even finalized the rates to be charged from the tourists for cable car ride”, said Syed Ali Jafary, Head Sales and Marketing of Empyrean Skyview Projects Private Limited when contacted by EXCELSIOR. He disclosed that 18 cabins each having capacity to carry eight adults at a time would be operated from Sanget to Patnitop.
He further said, “this ropeway is one of the highest (ground clearance) and European standard certified ropeways in Asia with one of the longest spans between its towers”, adding “spacious state-of-the-art Gondolas are custom-crafted to captivate and frame the utter perfection of enthralling views all year round assuring the privilege of the most captivating birds’ eye view of the scenic destination”.
According to Empyrean Skyview Projects Private Limited, this ropeway is ideal in all seasons and visitors will enjoy pleasant summer winds, stark snow-clad mountains and discover a destination that sprawls from Sanget to Patnitop while encompassing the best of sights, serenity, adventure and thrills.
The facilities and services that will be available to the tourists at upper terminal at Patnitop and lower terminal at Sanget include on-site parking, food and beverage, Wi-Fi access and shopping store. Moreover, convenience of the specially-abled persons has been kept in mind while making available all the facilities at both the terminal stations.
According to Head Sales and Marketing of Empyrean, zip line, tubing sledge and magic carpet facilities have also been made available for the tourists and these would be added attractions for the tourists. “Even an amphitheatre has been created where the tourists would be able to learn about Skyview Patnitop and the local culture besides being entertained by the talented artists”, he further informed.
It is pertinent to mention here that Empyrean has tie-up with POMA France (a world leader in ropeway transportation), MND Group France (innovative leader in mountain and adventure activities), Dianeige France (master planner and site developer) and ERIC France (cable transportation engineering).
The lower terminal of the project is at Sanget, three kilometres from Chenani-Nashri Tunnel while as upper terminal is at Patnitop as such the ropeway is easily accessible by the tourists.
The places which are in proximity to lower terminal station at Sanget are Sudh Mahadev, Gauri Kund and Mantalai, all having religious significance. Similarly, the places which are at a short distance from upper terminal at Patnitop are Nathatop, Madhatop and Sanasar. The increase in tourists’ footfall at Patnitop following launch of ropeway would also help in increasing the number of visitors to these places.
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