Gulmarg being spruced up for winter games, snow festival

Srinagar, Dec 28 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir government has taken several measures to ensure smooth conduct of the winter games and the snow festival at the famed ski resort of Gulmarg.

Several decisions were taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Tourism Minister Mohammad Dilawar Mir to regulate essential services such as power, water supply and road communication system at Gulmarg during the events.

It decided to put in place telecommunication system and clear road from Tangmarg to Gulmarg and with the ski resort so that tourists were not put to any inconvenience.

Snow clearance machines and cutters have been kept ready at vulnerable spots in Gulmarg to remove avalanches and landslides.

Two high capacity electric transformers would be kept standby to meet any eventuality in case of damages caused to power system to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to various hotels and establishments at Gulmarg. Possibilities would also be explored to secure power supply from one of the gas turbines exclusively for Gulmarg, the meeting was told.

The timing for Gulmarg Gandola ride has been rescheduled keeping in view the increasing rush of skiers. The Gandola ride for first phase from Gulmarg to Kongdoori would start from 0900 hrs and for phase II from Kongdoori to Apharwat at 1030 hrs daily.

Passes for Gondola ride on concessional rates would be provided to skiers and a booking counter has been opened at the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) here for convenience of tourists.

A modern medical aid ambulance would be kept available at the Gulmarg Gandola base and a senior orthopedic doctor posted at the resort for immediate treatment to skiers and other sportspersons.

Mr Mir stressed the need for optimum utilisation of vast winter sports potential in Kashmir. A large number of foreign tourists have expressed desire to visit Kashmir to enjoy winter games, especially skiing and ice skating, as the ski slopes available at Gulmarg were the best in the world, he added.

UNI FMH DH KN1540