Srinagar, Jan 27, KNT: Locals and visitors have accused the Tourism Department of Jammu and Kashmir of overcharging at the Gulmarg Gondola, alleging that the steep hike in fares amounts to exploitation of both tourists and local residents.
According to locals, the current fare for the Gulmarg Gondola has been fixed at ₹1,700 for Phase I and Phase II combined. However, they said that passengers who disembark at Phase I and then proceed to Phase II are required to pay an additional ₹400, taking the total cost to ₹2,100 for both phases.
They said the revised rates are sharply higher compared to earlier charges, when tickets for both phases were available for around ₹800. They alleged that the steep increase has placed the Gondola beyond the reach of many local visitors, including students.
Apart from the high pricing, locals alleged that the quality of services offered does not justify the rates being charged. “The services are virtually non-existent. This is nothing but looting,” a local resident said, expressing resentment over what he described as unchecked commercialisation of a public tourism asset.
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Locals further said that Gulmarg is not visited only by foreign tourists and affluent travellers, but also by residents of the region and students, who are now being forced to pay what they termed as exorbitant rates.
They urged the authorities to review the pricing policy and introduce concessional rates for locals and students, while also improving service standards at the Gondola to ensure fairness and transparency. [KNT]
