Baramulla, Feb 26: The Gondola services at the famous tourist destination of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district were Wednesday disrupted due to adverse weather conditions.
Altaf Ahmad, the Sub-Division Magistrate of Tangmarg, told Rising Kashmir that the Gondola services were suspended because of severe weather and strong winds affecting the area. “The Gondola services are expected to resume on Thursday for tourists and visitors,” he said.
SDM Altaf advised that if Gulmarg continues to experience snowfall, all vehicles traveling to the area must be equipped with anti-skid chains to ensure the safety of tourists and visitors. Shabir Ahmad, the Assistant Executive Engineer for the Snow Clearance Control Room at the Mechanical and Hospital Engineering Department in Tangmarg said that snow has been cleared from all routes leading to Tangmarg, Gulmarg, and Babareshi, allowing the tourist destination to remain accessible.
“The upper reaches of Gulmarg have received one foot of snowfall, while the main market area has seen 14 inches. Tangmarg has recorded five inches of snow, and Babareshi has experienced seven to eight inches,” he said. AEE Shabir assured that in the event of further snowfall in Gulmarg and Tangmarg, the snow clearance team is prepared to clear all routes promptly.
Cable Car Corporation extends advance booking period to 60 days
To enhance convenience for tourists and visitors wishing to book advance Gondola tickets at Gulmarg, the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (J&KCCC) has extended the advance booking period from 29 days to 60 days.
The J&KCCC announced that this extension was made in response to requests from tourists, allowing them to secure their tickets up to two months in advance. “Tickets can now be booked well ahead of time, with reservations processed on a first-come, first-served basis, as the website is publicly accessible,” stated the cable car corporation. Additionally, following the successful launch of Cabin Tickets for Phase-1 of the Gulmarg Gondola, Cabin Tickets for Phase-2, which operates from Kongdoori to Affarvat, will be available on a trial basis from February 27 to March 15, 2025. Tourists can utilize this service from 8:15 AM to 9:30 AM at Kongdoori.
