Gulmarg, Mar 12: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that artificial snow will be generated this year to ensure early skiing at Gulmarg.
Addressing the valedictory function of the fifth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) here in North Kashmir, the Chief Minister said, “Unfortunately, the weather conditions are changing. There was a time when the skiing courses in my childhood used to begin in December and continue till March. Now, the snowfall hardly occurs in December and January. However, the temperatures rise when the snowfall occurs in February. “
He said, “We will try to generate artificial snow from December through environment-friendly ways so that the slopes are prepared for skiing early amidst the minus temperatures, and we will be able to start the skiing course again from December up to March. We will not have to wait for March to conduct the Khelo India Winter Games.”
The Chief Minister expressed happiness over the completion of the second phase of KIWG-2025. “Finally, the event was held, which seemed impossible due to the weather conditions in January. The recent snowfall made the KIWG possible, as it occurred at the apt time. I express my gratitude to all the participants,” the Chief Minister said, as per KNO.
While congratulating the Army, Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh for securing top positions in the KIWG-2025, the Chief Minister expressed disappointment over J&K not securing any top rank in the competition. “We need to arrange the coaches and augment the infrastructure for our skiers so that J&K in the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games secures the top positions,” he said.
The Chief Minister welcomed the decision to develop a Winter Sports Centre of Excellence in Gulmarg.
Terming Gulmarg as the winter capital of the country, Omar said, “It is the place where skiing started. The T-bar lift in Gulmarg was introduced during British rule. Later, the track lift and Gandola were introduced in phases, and in the end, the chairlift was introduced, which was completed in 2012. However, this is not enough as the other countries have moved much ahead.”
“In the last two-three years, we have observed that those who used to come to Gulmarg for skiing are now opting to visit the central Asian countries like Uzbekistan. Now, it is our responsibility to develop Gulmarg further and augment the skiing infrastructure here,” Omar said as per KNO.
“We are lucky that the Prime Minister recently inaugurated a tunnel in Sonamarg. It has turned the picturesque resort into a winter destination now. We want to develop Sonamarg for skiing like Gulmarg.”
The Chief Minister said that Sonamarg has the natural advantages, which can help the place to emerge as the best skiing destination.
Omar said that Sports Minister Satish Sharma was recently assured by the Union Sports Minister that the infrastructure will be augmented further. “The sports infra is not limited to coming up with stadiums for cricket and football, but many games are being preferred by the youth nowadays, therefore, the infra needs to be augmented at the earliest so that the youngsters, who are indulging in anti-social issues and activities will be involved in sports activities.”