Asia’s Longest Ski Drag Lift Inaugurated in Gulmarg to Boost Kashmir’s Winter Tourism
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated Asia’s longest ski drag lift and a rotating conference hall at Gulmarg to enhance the region's winter tourism profile. The ski drag lift, measuring 726 metres, is located at Kongdori, while the rotating hall is situated at an altitude of 4,390 metres at Apharwat. These projects, part of a larger ₹17 crore infrastructure push, aim to position Gulmarg as a premier global winter sports destination. The initiatives are designed to create year-round tourism opportunities, generate local employment, and elevate the site to international standards while ensuring ecological conservation.
Key Points
- Gulmarg now hosts Asia’s longest ski drag lift, measuring 726 metres, at Kongdori.
- A new rotating conference hall has been built at Apharwat, one of the highest altitudes for such a facility.
- The infrastructure investment is intended to attract international tourists and support events like the Khelo India Winter Games.
- The project emphasizes balancing tourism growth with the conservation of Gulmarg's fragile alpine ecology.
Exam Facts
- The ski drag lift cost ₹3.65 crore.
- The rotating conference hall at Apharwat cost ₹86 lakh.
- The altitude of the Apharwat facility is 4,390 metres.
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