J-K CM Abdullah throws open Asia's longest ski drag lift in Gulmarg
Srinagar (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday threw open Asia's longest ski drag lift at Gulmarg, widely known as the 'skiing capital of India', officials said.
Abdullah also inaugurated the world's highest revolving multi-purpose hall in the Affarwat area of Gulmarg, which also houses a restaurant, they said.
Abdullah said the ski drag lift at Kongdori in Gulmarg in Baramulla district will significantly enhance the skiing infrastructure in the hill station and strengthen its standing on the international winter sports map.
"This landmark addition will significantly enhance skiing infrastructure and further strengthen Gulmarg's standing on the international winter sports map," the chief minister's office (CMO) said in a post on X.
The 726-metre-long ski drag lift, a device that takes one to higher ground while skiing by holding on to a moving bar, has been built at a cost of Rs 3.65 crore, officials said.
Abdullah also dedicated a series of tourism infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 17 crore to the people of Gulmarg and its adjoining areas, marking a significant milestone in strengthening Jammu and Kashmir's position as a premier global winter tourism destination, they said.
The chief minister inaugurated the Integrated Skiing Training and Adventure Tourism Centre in Gulmarg and launched integrated ski training courses to strengthen winter sports training facilities in the area.
Speaking on the occasion, Abdullah said Gulmarg remains the crown jewel of J-K's tourism landscape and sustained investment in modern, high-quality infrastructure is essential to unlocking its full potential.
"These initiatives are not just infrastructure additions but strategic investments that will create year-round tourism opportunities, generate employment for local youth, and elevate Gulmarg to international standards," Abdullah said.
The ski drag lift and training facilities would give a major boost to winter sports and professional skiing, while the revolving conference hall at Apharwat would significantly enhance visitor experience, he said.
"Our vision is to make Gulmarg a global hub for winter sports while ensuring conservation of its fragile ecology and natural beauty," Abdullah said.
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Mamata blames EC for 'failing to protect' judicial officers gheraoed over voter name deletion
Sagardighi (WB) (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday blamed the Election Commission for "failing to protect" judicial officers engaged in the SIR exercise in West Bengal's Malda district.
Seven judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) were rescued by security forces after protesters gheraoed them for several hours on Wednesday over the deletion of names from the electoral rolls.
"I condemn the Election Commission for failing to protect the judicial officers," Banerjee said, addressing an election rally here in Murshidabad district.
Claiming that the EC posted its own officers in civil and police administration after announcement of assembly polls in the state, Banerjee accused the poll body of having "totally failed to control law and order".
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Several officers, including the state's chief secretary, home secretary and director general of police (DGP), were replaced in West Bengal soon after the assembly polls were announced by the Election Commission.
"All my powers have been taken away, I have never seen such an Election Commission," the chief minister said.
Banerjee claimed that the BJP's game plan is to get the assembly polls cancelled in Bengal and to get President's Rule imposed.
"There are communal people in the BJP, and some communal people have also entered your ranks," Banerjee said, addressing the rally.
She claimed that such people flew in from Hyderabad with money from the BJP and are trying to divide the Muslim votes in the state.
