JAMMU: Directorate of Tourism, Jammu in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation organized three days ‘Jammu Gondola Festival’ to publicize/showcase the Bagh-e-Bahu Gondola facility connecting Bagh-e-Bahu with Mahamaya and Peer Kho wherein the first phase connecting Mahamaya has been made functional and the second phase from Mahamaya to Peer Kho is in its final stage.The much awaited facility in Jammu has given a boost to the pilgrim tourism in the City of Temples.Moreover, this connectivity shall definitely help in increasing the tourist footfall in the city of temples. Keeping in view the Covid-19 pandemic, the J&K Cable Car Corporation is following all the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Government to ensure that the tourists/visitors have a safe and memorable ride experience in the lap of picturesque Jammu City, Tawi river and Mahamaya forests.The maiden Festival of its kind was inaugurated by Sh. Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary, Tourism & Culture in presence of Majid Khalil Ahmad Drabu, Managing Director, J&K Cable Car Corporation and Raj Kumar Katoch, Director Tourism, Jammu.The event started with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony followed by Cultural performance by local artists of Cultural Academy and fun filled acts by comedians and other artists. Departmental stalls of Horticulture, Handloom, Handicrafts, JKTDC etc. were also displayed during the event which witnessed huge response from the tourists thronging the picturesque destination of Bahu Fort forests.While speaking on the occasion, Secretary Tourism appreciated the efforts taken by the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu in organizing such an impressive event in collaboration with J&K Cable Car Corporation which will go a long way in promoting Jammu as an independent tourist destination.The three-day Jammu Gondola Festival coincided with the New Year Celebrations amid chilling cold waves at Jammu which is a major attraction for the tourists especially pilgrims visiting the holy shrines of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji, Bawe-wali-Mata and Shiv Khori.The event was a confluence of local Dogri art, ethnic cuisines, cultural performances, painting exhibition and adventure in the sky by way of Gondola ride from Maha Maya Temple to Bahu Ropeway Station.The Gondola facility in Jammu is like a dream come true for the locals and visitors from outside the Union Territory. The Jammu Gondola Festival is aimed to engage the tourists and showcase indigenous culture with other engaging activities during the celebrations.The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu in its endeavor intends to organize more such programs aimed towards tourism promotion in coming days. Pertinent to mention here is that this was the fifth event in the series being organized by the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu at different destinations so as to create awareness among tourists.Among others, the event was also attended by Waseem Raja, Additional Secretary Tourism, Dy. Director Tourism, Publicity, Jammu, Anil Kumar Chandail, Asstt. Director Tourism, Katra, Ambika Bali along with other officers/officials of the Tourism Department, District Administration and J&K Cable Car Corporation Jammu.
