Gulmarg Gondola revenue jumps 75%, grosses 21 Cr
Newly installed chairlifts attract skiers; earn Rs 10 lakh in 2 months
Sajad Kralyari
Srinagar Feb 21:The Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporation revenue has jumped up to Rs 21 crore from Rs 12 crore last fiscal registering over 75 per cent growth.
The newly commission parallel chairlifts have also fetched Corporation Rs 10 lakh during two winter months from January.
The facility of the parallel chair lifts from Kangdoori (12000 feet high) is used by professional skiers to climb to Mary Shoulder (12500 feet) where from skiers slide down to Gulmarg.
“So far, Corporation has grossed revenue of Rs 21 crore this fiscal. There has been good tourism year last year. Gulmarg Gondola also witnessed good rush,” said Managing Director JKSCCC Talat Parveez.
The installation of parallel chairlifts from Kangdori in September last year has also attracted good number of skiers this winter season.
The Rs 18 crore chairlifts were installed to help State hold state, national and international level ski championships in Gulmarg besides improving tourism.
“We have earned Rs 10 lakh from parallel chairlifts from January. The ski-lifts provide excellent facility to the professional skiers. They climb to Mary Shoulder and ski-down to Gulmarg,” said
On an average, chairlifts carry around 1100 skiers per hour for skiing.
“During these two months, around 6,000 tourists both domestic and international were lifted to Mary Shoulder for skiing. The ski-lifts are a major attraction for skiers in Gulmarg,” said Parveez.
The tickets for 1.2 km long ski-lifts go at Rs 150 per head while as the day passes are sold at Rs 450 per head for domestic. The foreigners pay Rs 900 for per day pass.
“The skiers also avail the online ticketing facility which saves their time and is more convenient,” said MD JKSCCC.
To promote the chairlifts, the Corporation is organizing Gulmarg Gondola Cup from the first week of March in which the states professional skiers will participate. It will also host Gulmarg Global Derby which will feature professional foreign skiers.
“The championships will be organized to promote chairlifts. Next year, we will host national and international events,” said Parveez.
The Corporation is expecting to earn additional Rs 10 lakh by the end this winter season and Rs 2 crore this year
“Our net revenue during the winter months will be around Rs 20 lakh,” informed Parveez.