'Underground cabling of electricity wires at Gulmarg soon'

Jammu and Kashmir government will soon start underground cabling of electricity wires at Gulmarg to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the famous tourist resort during inclement weather conditions.

Underground cabling of wires at Gulmarg would be started soon which would insulate the power supply from the weather vagaries, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was informed at a meeting of Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA).

Addressing the meeting, Mehbooba stressed on expanding the tourist activities at Gulmarg and in its catchment area by creating more basic facilities in the nearby villages.

This would not only add up these villages to the tourists itinerary but also create more employment opportunities for the local youth, she said.

The Chief Minister directed that local youth be involved in the infrastructure expansion, tourism promotion or any other activity at the world famous destination.

She also directed that basic facilities like sanitation, connectivity and power supply be made available in the catchment areas so that village tourism takes off like it has been done in Leh.

Mehbooba directed early submission of the Gulmarg Master Plan so that the same could be discussed in the cabinet.

She also directed that the process of setting up of a herbal garden and observatory at Gulmarg be paced up.

The Chief Minister also directed improvement of Gulmarg- Baba Reshi road and face-lifting of the Baba Reshi market in conformity with the natural ambience there.

She directed the officials concerned that mandatory two per cent spending of the profits by public companies operating in the area be strictly ensured.

The meeting was informed that the detailed project report for setting up of a cable car at Shranz ws ready and further action on the same is underway.

The Chief Minister directed for preparation of a mechanism for garbage disposal.

She also directed the Power Development Department PDD to prepare a project for street lighting the patch from Baba Reshi to Gulmarg.

The meeting was informed that in order to augment the drinking water facility at the world famous resort, the PHE Department is working on a Rs 6.92 crore water supply scheme from Ningli nallah which would add up an additional five lakh gallons of drinking water to the area.

The Chief Minister directed opening of Botapathri, Nagin-I and Nagin-II to public and in this regard take up the issue with Army authorities.

She also directed completion of demarcation and fencing of the land earmarked to GDA for which she fixed a deadline of one month.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)