AFFARWAT: : The inauguration of the second phase of the Gulmarg Gondola by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Saturday signalled the revival of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.

The 2.5-km ropeway connects Kangdoori valley with Affarwat peak, the last point overlooking Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

"It is a dream come true," said Mr. Sayeed on setting foot on the snow-covered peak, which, till now, was out of reach for mountain lovers.

The first phase connects Gulmarg with Kangdoori.

At a height of 13,400 feet, the ski lift has been constructed jointly by the Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporation; Pomaglaski, a French company; Age Constructions, Srinagar; and RITES Ltd., New Delhi, at a cost of Rs. 14 crores. Bad weather delayed the completion of the project several times in the last two years.

It was originally scheduled to be inaugurated by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on April 8.

"It will boost tourism in the Valley. Winter Games will see a new destination which has attraction at the international level," said Mr. Sayeed.

He praised the Gulmarg Development Authority for completing the project amid all odds. He underlined the projects being taken up by the Government to promote tourism.

Minister of State for Tourism Jugal Kishore said that tourism promotion was on top of the Government's agenda. He termed the Gondola as a milestone in this direction.

"It is the world's highest cable car using gondolas and the only one in the world that takes skiers to a height of 4,390 metres."

It would attract skiers and trekkers to the State.

The work on the project got a boost after the peace process between India and Pakistan took off.

Both Affarwat and Kongdoori, which fall close to the Line of Control, have been hit by cross-border firing in the past.

With the second phase becoming operational, the number of tourists to Gulmarg is likely to go up.

"It has become a favourite destination for tourists now," said Mohammad Saleem Baig, Director-General, Tourism.

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