Uri residents seek gondola facility

Uri, Dec 9: Residents of remote Uri town in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have urged the government to introduce a gondola facility in the area.

A group of locals told Greater Kashmir that the proposal has been a long-pending demand, yet to be addressed.

Irshad Ahmad, a resident of Garkote village, said the demand was initially raised by their MLA in 2022. “He discussed it with then Director Tourism Kashmir, but no progress has been made so far,” he said.

Ahmad said that MLA had demanded the facility to run from Garkote village to the Baba Fareed shrine, situated at 11,000 feet above sea level.

“Baba Fareed is a breathtaking spot on the mountaintop. If a cable car service had been introduced, Uri could have emerged as a popular tourist destination for locals and visitors from outside the region,” Ahmad said. “While trekking to the shrine remains popular, a gondola would have added significant appeal for tourists.”

Bashir Bhat, another local from the village, highlighted Uri’s tourism potential. “We have incredible locations like Kaman Post, Nambla Waterfall, Rustum, Zulfiqar Ali Viewpoint, Salamabad Dam, Bosiyan, Limber Waterfall, and others. These spots attract both local and non-local visitors,” he said.

He added, “If a gondola is introduced from Garkote to Baba Fareed, it could create employment opportunities for educated youth in the area.”

The locals believe this facility could be developed under the government’s tourism initiative for Line of Control (LoC) areas. “As the authorities explore untapped locations across the valley, we hope they will seriously consider introducing the gondola in Uri. Additionally, the tourism department should invest in building huts and other visitor amenities in the town,” they said.

Nestled along the banks of the river Jhelum, Uri is renowned for its serene landscapes, lush greenery, and stunning mountain views. The town, located near the LoC, also gained fame after the release of the Vicky Kaushal-starrer "Uri: The Surgical Strike".

In recent years, the J&K government has taken steps to boost tourism, including infrastructure development and the promotion of lesser-known destinations.

Residents hope the introduction of gondola service in Uri will be seriously considered as part of these efforts to promote tourism and drive economic growth in the remote town.

Speaking to Greater Kashmir, MLA Uri Dr Sajjad Shafi acknowledged that he had previously raised the issue. “I am yet to receive any response from the authorities,” he said.

“I will revisit this demand with the concerned officials. Besides Garkote to Baba Fareed, I plan to push for the introduction of a gondola connecting Gingal and Bosiyan areas,” he added.