Kotli Satyan to have chairlift

Punjab govt seeks applications from firms to explore feasibility of installing cable cars

RAWALPINDI:

After giving the status of tourism tehsil to Kotli Satian, the Punjab government has approved the installation of the first state-of-the-art chairlift to promote tourism in the second biggest hilly tehsil of Rawalpindi.

After the approval, the Punjab tourism development corporation has started work to prepare the feasibility and survey to install the chairlift.

Former prime minister Imran Khan had given the status of tourism tehsil to Kotli Satian under the tourism promotion project. Under the project, the range of Punjpir rocks consisting of the black mountains of Kotli Satian was declared the main tourist destination. Road infrastructure has been built to Punjpir rocks and huts and washrooms and benches have been installed for tourists.

The mountain range of Kotli Satian and the forest is bigger and denser than the mountains and forests of Murree. Wild animals and wild birds also live in large numbers in the dense forests. Sources said that applications have been sought from international and domestic firms to carry out the feasibility of the chairlift route by June 23. They said that after the feasibility report, tenders will be awarded to the lowest bidder and the most experienced company.

The Punjab ministry of tourism secretary said that a six-month time has been fixed for preparing the feasibility report. Whichever company wins the tender, will be required to submit a complete feasibility report by December 31, 2022. Following this report, he said the government will award the contract to install the chairlift under the public-private joint venture.

He said that the firms will also have to submit an estimated cost of the project. The installation of the chairlift at Kotli Satian will be completed by March 31 next year and it will be opened for tourists in April next year, he said.

Former adviser to the chief minister on tourism Asif Mehmood said that they had completed all work for the promotion of tourism in Kotli Satyan. He said that Kotli Satian has more beautiful areas than Murree. The Mangla Dam, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the line of control of Kashmir are also visible from the Panjpir rocks at Kotli Satian.

“Tourists who will once visit this tourist spot of Panjpir rocks, they will visit there again and again with friends and family members,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2022.