Latest news with #Gondola
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
After Pahalgam, Gulmarg: Omar urges Centre to curb ‘boycott Kashmir campaign'
Day after holding a Cabinet meeting in Pahalgam, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah conducted a review meeting in Gulmarg, another prominent tourist destination in the state, on Wednesday to send a message that his government is ready to open 'Jammu and Kashmir for tourism again'. The Chief Minister urged the Centre to step in to stop the 'boycott Kashmir' campaign saying people of J&K are being punished despite them coming out to condemn the Pahalgam terror attack. While reiterating that the three power centres — elected government, Raj Bhawan and the Centre — have to work together to ensure such attacks don't happen again, Omar once again pitched for statehood saying the conversation on the demand has not stopped. Later in the day, the CM took a ride on a Gondola cable car to Kongdoori in the upper reaches of Gulmarg. 'A message should go from here that we are opening Jammu and Kashmir for tourism again,' Omar said, talking to the reporters after the meeting. 'It is obvious that after the 22nd April, everything came to a halt. People should come here again, for this I held a Cabinet meeting in Pahalgam yesterday (Tuesday) and a meeting of administrative secretaries in Gulmarg today (Wednesday). Our effort is to create a buzz at least, create publicity'. Omar said he has asked the Education minister to bring the schoolchildren to Gulmarg and Pahalgam for picnics so that 'we start to move towards normalcy'. Omar, once again, batted for re-opening of the tourist destinations that were closed for the tourists and the locals after the Pahalgam attack. 'I know, we were forced to take such steps,' he said. 'But if we have to see the revival of tourism, we will have to slowly review this (decision)'. The UT government had issued several circulars barring the valley schools from going to picnic spots on weekdays and allowed on other days only after seeking permission from the government, which has created anger in the Valley. Responding to a question of 'Kashmir boycott' calls from certain quarters, Omar said the Centre must step in to stop it. 'There is a big difference between the earlier attacks and this (Pahalgam) attack. This time the people spontaneously came out and condemned it. No political, social or religious leader can claim credit for this (spontaneous protests in J&K over the Pahalgam incident),' Omar said. 'Even after this, if you punish them, call for a boycott, forgive me, who will come out to condemn, if god forbid, such an attack happens again. Even after condemning this, if we are still seen as being responsible, what can we do? The Central government shouldn't ignore it, they should use their agencies to stop this campaign,' Omar said. He, however, said that the demand for the return of statehood has not stopped. 'If you see the formal speech that was circulated in the NITI Ayog meeting, you will see a categorical mention of the return of statehood. The conversation on statehood has not been stalled,' he said. 'The only thing is that I was unwilling to use the special session of the Assembly to ask for statehood but that doesn't mean the conversation has stopped'. At Gulmarg, Omar reviewed the performance of different departments. Besides the cabinet ministers, the meeting was attended by top civil and police officers. At the meeting, Omar told the officers that during the NITI Ayog meeting, he urged the Centre that the meetings of parliamentary consultative committee, parliamentary standing committee and that of public sector undertakings should be held in J&K to help revive tourism. Some of the Union ministers gave a positive response to his appeal, he said.
NZ Herald
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Herald
On the Up: Skyline Luge hits 100 million rides, expands to UK market
That prototype developed into what we today recognise as an iconic Kiwi attraction: the Luge. Now, Skyline has reached a milestone of 100 million Luge rides across its eight global tracks - two of which are in New Zealand. On the secret to its enduring success, Hensman hints at this: true universal appeal. 'The Luge is a very simple idea that spans the generations,' the Queenstown local says. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Skyline Queenstown (@skylinequeenstown) 'I mean, I still enjoy it, having been reviving it from 40-odd years from the original model my father made, which was just a timber cart and a couple of skateboard wheels right through to the evolved model with brakes.' Danny Luke, Skyline's chief operating officer and grandson of the founder, agrees. 'This achievement reflects the incredible popularity of the Luge. It's more than just an exhilarating ride – it's a tradition that families and friends return to time and again, sharing the thrill across generations," he says. Many adventure activities have accessibility restrictions. But the ease and simplicity of the Luge largely eliminate those concerns - meaning Hensman could still enjoy riding even after he started using a wheelchair following a workplace accident around 32 years ago. 'We have a policy of making it accessible to all,' Hensman says. The company is trialling a new cart to support the independence of people with physical limitations. Discover more '[The] cart will allow somebody who doesn't have the ability, perhaps, to drive the Luge themselves independently. 'To be taken down by their friend or caregiver or parent or brother or sister... and they'll be in a car behind them and they can enjoy the rides.' On what drives his determination, Hensman says: 'I don't want to sit around. I don't think life's a practice run. You get one shot at it. I've been lucky enough to have the odd opportunity, and I want to get on with it.' 'This is an incredible achievement, and we're just getting started,' says chief executive Geoff McDonald. The company is getting ready to open a new site in Swansea, Wales, marking its entry into the UK market. It will be modelled on the Rotorua site and will have both the Gondola and Luge, with more attractions to come. 'The intent is to put on a Skyswing as well, and a couple of other smaller attractions ... it's a significant investment,' Hensman says. The popularity of the Luge is rising. It increased from 7.46 million rides in 2023/2024 to 9.89 million rides in 2024/25, with the company projecting that the next 100 million rides will happen in only 8 years. 'That's a big number of smiles,' Hensman says.
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- The Hindu
Post Pahalgam attack, Gondola rides in Gulmarg plummet
Footfall of tourists availing Gondola ride, the world's second highest cable car service in Gulmarg that acts as a barometer of Kashmir tourism, has plummeted in the face of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Over 40,000 cancellations in two weeks have resulted in the loss of around ₹15 crore to the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation so far. These days, the noisy red and yellow airway cabins of Gondola Park silently close ahead of the scheduled timing of 6.30-7 p.m. Officials said the popular rope way shuts by or before 5 p.m. because of cancellations. Just a month ago, the Gondola ride, which goes up from 8,694 feet to 13,780 feet in altitude, was sold out completely. 'Footfall has dropped significantly. We get around 1,000 tourists against an average of 4,000 to 5,000 per day. There is a fall of 75%,' Syed Qamar Sajjad, Managing Director of the J&K Cable Car Corporation, told The Hindu. With the government directing the corporation to refund tickets in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, over 40,000 tourists cancelled their rides and cost the corporation around ₹15 crore. 'We expect the Gondola rides to go up from the second and third week of May. Many who have booked their rides for later in May have not completely cancelled it. This gives us hope that tourists are sticking to their scheduled trip to Kashmir,' Mr. Sajjad said. Gulmarg is one of few popular destinations of Kashmir that is close to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, less than five kilometers from the Line of Control (LoC). Since the Pahalgam attack, day travellers have been advised to leave the Gulmarg meadow before sundown 'as a precautionary measure'. Officials said the Army had fortified security of the tourist hotspot and also carried out drills recently to safeguard Gondola from any terror threat. Gulmarg saw a major terror attack in October last year where two soldiers and two civilians were left dead.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Pahalgam terror attack: Authorities beef up security amid tourist rush at Gulmarg
The authorities on Monday reviewed the security arrangements at Gulmarg as the rush continued at the famous tourist destination, even days after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Even though there was an exodus of tourists from the Valley immediately after the attack, the Gulmarg resort in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, close to the line of Control (LoC), is seeing long queues of visitors. The resort's mesmerising meadows and cable car, Gondola, are the main attractions. Pahalgam and Gulmarg are among the key places almost always on the itinerary of those visiting the Valley. Baramulla senior superintendent of police (SSP) Gurinder Pal Singh said authorities have been providing enough deployment of army, police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Gulmarg. 'We have armed deployment wherever tourists are. The review was not just from the perspective of Pahalgam, but also for crowd management issues, fire control, power shutdown during Gondola operations or any other emergencies,' he said. Singh said that they have reviewed security owing to heightened concerns. 'One of the main attractions in Gulmarg is the Gondola, where we see a footfall of 3,000 to 5,000 tourists on a daily basis. There is generally a large deployment of police, CRPF and army. Because of the heightened security concern, we have done a complete analysis and have not come across any security concerns so far. In case it does happen sometime, or we are informed of something, we will take care of loopholes, if any,' he said. He said all the wings of forces, like Indian Army's Rashtriya Rifles, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF were deployed. 'We are getting the support of local authorities. There is no need to panic, we are all here for your security,' he said. Gulmarg (the meadow of flowers), which is located close to LoC in the Pir Panjal mountain range in the western Himalayas, some 50km from Srinagar, is as a cup-shaped valley with virgin peaks, dry curry powder snow (in winter) and vast meadows which attracts majority of the tourists pouring into valley. The Gulmarg Gondola, a flagship attraction of Kashmir tourism and India's most popular ropeway, is at a height of 13,500 ft – making it Asia's highest operating cable car.
Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Indian Express
Pune tourists continue Kashmir expedition unfazed after narrowly missing Pahalgam attack
Amid the rush to leave Kashmir following the terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, many tourists have defied fear and decided to stay back and continue their planned tour, which also includes several families from Pune. The presence of the Indian Armed Forces across Jammu and Kashmir, cooperation from local residents, and administrative efforts to maintain the law and order situation have helped tourist activities thrive again and tourists to feel protected. 'We arrived in Srinagar on April 21, and the Pahalgam visit was scheduled the next day. Fortunately, while enjoying a Shikara ride on Dal Lake, we got late and reached the Baisaran meadows at around 3 pm, when the terror attack had just happened. We saw people rushing and decided to leave the site while we were about to book the pony ride,' said Yashwant Ranaware, a resident of Aundh. Ranaware and his wife were accompanied by the Awasare family, who returned to Srinagar the next day when private vehicle movement was allowed. After the attack, security personnel from various forces such as the Indian Army, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and others were commissioned to carry out combing operations to track down the terrorists. While staying for two days in Srinagar, both families decided to let the situation get under control and then continue with the trip. 'We thought, why panic if the Armed Forces have launched their operations. And on Thursday, we headed to Gulmarg and enjoyed the Gondola ride and later went to Sonmarg. The same is the case with many other tourists as they have started enjoying again without fear,' added Ranaware. Satish Awasare, a resident a Pune, told The Indian Express that the decision to continue with the tourism activities was possible because of the safe environment created by the Indian Armed Forces, prompt action by the local administration to get life back to normal while maintaining law and order despite the Red Alert in Kashmir, and the courteous residents who had helped us with accomodation, food and other essentials. Currently, the situation is completely normal, and many tourists have been seen flocking to the tourist spots. 'I believe if we panic and avoid visiting Jammu and Kashmir, keeping in mind the threat, then we are losing the opportunity to enjoy the scenic locations, and this has a direct impact on the valley's economy, which is mostly dependent on tourism. After enjoying the remaining locations, we will be back in Pune next week,' added Awasare.
