Ahmed Ali Fayyaz
SRINAGAR: Kashmir’s world-famous tourist resort Gulmarg seems to break some records in both visitor footfall as well revenue collection from one of the world’s highest altitude ropeways known as ‘Gondola’.
Managing Director Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation Syed Qamar Sajad revealed to NEWS NOW that as many as 1,48,357 tourists had visited Gulmarg from 1 November 2024 to 17 December 2024—93,921 in November and 54,436 till 17th of December. This in spite of the fact that Gulmarg is still by and large dry and hungry of the massive snowfall it usually witnesses in these two months.
“As many 3,500 to 4,000 tourists are visiting (Gulmarg) daily. Officials of the Department of Tourism have informed me that the big hotels currently have room occupancy of around 75 percent”, Syed Altaf Moosavi, Sub Divisional Magistrate Gulmarg said.
Gondola, the famous cable car in two phases—Phase-1 from Gulmarg to Kongdori and Phase-2 from Kongdori to Afarwat—has earned a record revenue of Rs 11,86,85,00 from 1 January to 17 December 2024. According to Mr Sajad, around 3,200 visitors enjoy a ride on Gondola every day in the current season.
“These days we operate the Gondola from 8.30 a.m to around 6.30 p.m. We ensure that the last visitor returns to the bowl”, Mr Sajad said. Currently Rs 800 is charged for a ride on Phase-1 and Rs 1,000 on Phase-2 uniformly from each rider. Qamar Sajad said that all tickets through on-line booking for Gondola have been sold for the next two month. “We will also accommodate some riders through Tatkal”, he asserted. On Tuesday in a bid to meet the growing demand for tickets, JKCCC announced the launch of an online Tatkal Ticket Facility for the Gulmarg Gondola, besides seamless facilitation to the foreign tourists.
According to official statistics, Gondola revenue collections from 1 November 2024 to 30 November 2024 were Rs 111 crore. In the corresponding periods in 2023 and 2022, the same were Rs 97 crore and Rs 83 crore respectively. It indicates an increase of Rs 28 crore from 2022 t0 2024.
MD JKCCC Qamar Sajad and his predecessor Raja Yaqoob Farooq, who is currently Director Tourism Kashmir, had readily no idea about the revenue collection from Gondola since the days it was commissioned in two phases in the last 26 years. However, some officials, who have held key positions in Directorate of Tourism Kashmir and JKCCC, guessed it at around Rs 500 crore.
“Until 2022, we used to earn less than Rs 20 crore a year from Gondola. There has been a substantial increase due to heavy footfall of tourists and increase in rates. Now we earn more than Rs 100 crore a year from the project”, said an official.
Farooq Ahmad Shah, who is currently National Conference’s MLA from Gulmarg and has functioned as Secretary Tourism, Director Tourism Kashmir, MD JKCCC and Chief Executive Officer Gulmarg Development Authority, raised Phase-2 of Gondola after completing the leftover works of the Phase-1. He told NEWS NOW that the total expenditure on the whole project was “less than Rs 30 crore”.
Gulmarg Gondola is Asia’s highest and longest cable car project, offering breathtaking views of the snow-clad Pir Panjal mountain range — the first phase connects Gulmarg to Kongdoori at an altitude of 8,530 feet, and the second phase takes visitors to the stunning Afarwat Peak at 13,780 feet above sea level.
“Our doors will remain open for everyone, even at the last moment. We are ready to augment ticketing facilities while ensuring the safety and security of tourists,” Qamar Sajad said, adding that by the end of this session JKCCC anticipated a 10-12 per cent increase in tourist footfall. “Our revenue target is Rs 100 crore, with net taxation projected at Rs 60 crore, which we have already surpassed this year”.
“Additionally, we are focusing on maintaining and enhancing existing assets to make them aesthetically appealing and ensuring tourists have easy access to tickets. Our goal is to elevate the overall experience for every visitor,” MD JKCCC asserted.
