OOTY: The citizens forum here and others
concerned about the hill station’s tourism development have urged the
government to take steps to establish a cable car facility in Ooty to
further promote tourism in the hills with the aid of modern technology.
Stating that in this era of technological advancement, there is a need
to blend technology-oriented tourist attractions with the hill environs
to make tourism more attractive, Mr. S.K.Selvaraj, founder of the
Universal Affectionates’ Association, said that across the globe
importance was being given to promote tourism in big way and it was time
to bring attractions like a cable car to Ooty.
“There were talks in the past here about bringing in cable car
facility. But, unfortunately no one pursued the project with zest. Now,
it is high time the tourism department should give a re-think on this
project, to ensure that such cable car facility, which is a simple
aerial transit system to ferry tourists for a short distance area
covering about a couple of kilometers, was making its way in the hills
to make it the new era tourism attraction in the hills. Doddabetta-Ketti
Valley, Boat House and Pykara area are the best suitable places to
launch cable car project to add more meaning to tourism development in
the hills. When such a facility is available in Darjeeling hills in
the north, it can be tried in Ooty,” he advocated.
Echoing the same sentiments, Mr.Rohit Jain, Past President of Citizens
Forum of Ooty said that laying the cable car facility in Ketti Valley
View point would enhance the tourism potential of that area.
“Ketti Valley is one of the largest valleys in Asia. Aerial transport
through cable car in this area would be a boost and enable the tourists
to enjoy the magnificent view of the valley as well as the hills and
woods around. Now, when India is proving to the world that it is second
to none in either developing or possession of modern technology, the
tourism department should take steps to establish cable car facility at
the earliest, in the hills here” he said.