NIA Approves Cable-Car Project in Jammu and Kashmir Pahalgam After Terror Attack

• In a significant move to boost tourism and rebuild confidence in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has approved the long-awaited cable-car project in Pahalgam’s Baisaran area. The Rs100–120 crore project, cleared months after the tragic April 2025 terror attack, aims to restore normalcy, generate employment, and strengthen the region’s tourism infrastructure. The project is expected to be completed within 18 months.

Project Overview and Implementation

• The Pahalgam cable-car project will connect Yatri Niwas (lower terminal) to Baisaran (upper terminal) over a 1.4-kilometre stretch. The Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) has awarded the consultancy work to Ronmas India Pvt. Ltd. , which will prepare the detailed project report (DPR) and oversee technical documentation. The J&K Tourism Department confirmed that all required clearances, including those from the NIA, have been secured. Officials said the alignment has been finalized, and site surveys will begin soon after final procedural approvals.

Background and Recovery Efforts

• The project approval follows the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack , in which 26 tourists were killed by terrorists belonging to The Resistance Front (TRF) , a Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked outfit. The attackers had targeted visitors after asking about their religion, sparking nationwide condemnation. In response, Indian forces carried out strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The NIA continues its investigation, having questioned over 1,000 people, while the Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed a special public prosecutor to expedite the case.

Government and Local Response

• J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed that the project will not only boost local tourism but also serve as a confidence-building measure for visitors. Pahalgam MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani stated that despite delays caused by the “post-Pahalgam situation,” the administration is committed to fast-tracking development. The Tourism Department and District Administration of Anantnag are coordinating site inspections and project execution.

Exam- Facts

• Approval: NIA, November 2025

• Cost:  Rs100–120 crore

• Route: 1.4 km from Yatri Niwas to Baisaran

• Executing Agency: JKCCC; Consultant: Ronmas India Pvt. Ltd.

• Incident Background: April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack by TRF killed 26 tourists