Nawshaba Iqbal
Srinagar, Jan 30: Gulmarg, Kashmir’s premier winter tourism destination, is undergoing major upgrades in infrastructure, connectivity and livelihood support to develop it into a world-class skiing and year-round tourist hub, MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah said today.
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In an interview with ‘Excelsior’, Shah said sustained efforts by the present Government have significantly improved facilities and services at Gulmarg, and across the constituency, to meet the growing tourist inflow.
He said Asia’s longest drag lift has been constructed and made fully operational, while the world’s highest revolving restaurant has been developed at Affarwat.
A golf course convention centre is also being launched to promote Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism, he informed.
“Our focus has been on improving connectivity and basic amenities. Roads have been upgraded, the power sector strengthened and civic services improved,” Shah said.
He added that education and healthcare are key priorities, noting that more than 30 new infrastructure buildings have been constructed, around 18 kindergarten schools opened, smart boards installed, and auditoriums are under construction in high schools across the constituency.
Nearly 60 students have secured over 90 per cent marks, including seven top rank holders, he said.
In the health sector, Shah said Tangmarg Hospital is being upgraded to function as a major healthcare facility for the area.
“Sports infrastructure is also being strengthened, with two major playgrounds under construction, upgrades underway at Tangmarg and Kunzer sports fields, and several mini sports fields being developed,” he added.
On livelihood generation, Shah said agro-based sectors such as horticulture, trout farming, sheep husbandry, dairy and agriculture are being expanded.
He said 70 trout units are currently functional and Tangmarg fruit is being supplied to markets.
“Our dairy sector produces about 80,000 litres of milk daily, against a local demand of 36,000 litres. To utilise the surplus, a large milk processing plant is being set up. Within four years, the constituency will also supply vegetables to the entire central district,” he said.
Shah said the Greater Gulmarg concept has expanded the tourism circuit, including agri-tourism routes.
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