The photo has been used for illustrative purpose only.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government of Pakistan has decided to set up a 14-kilometre long cable car, which will connect scenic tourist resort of Kumrat in Upper Dir with Madaklasht area of Chitral, at an estimated cost of Rs32 billion.

A KP government statement said that the decision was made in a meeting of the tourism department, chaired by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and attended by Tourism Secretary Mohammad Abid Majeed and other senior officials.

The meeting gave go ahead to the department to carry out detailed feasibility study and engineering design of the project.

The statement said that the proposed cable car would be the longest and highest of its kind in the world. After completion, it was likely to attract eight million foreign and local tourists to the province and generate employment opportunities.

The cable car would have car parking facilities on both the stations whereas it will have an intermediate station as well with restaurant and other allied facilities. The feasibility study of the project will be completed in five to six months.

 "The proposed cable car will be built on international standards which, on completion, would attract foreign and local tourists in a large number. The project is environment-friendly and feasible on the grounds that no land acquisition process is involved therein,” said the statement.

The chief minister directed authorities to immediately start work on the feasibility and engineering design of the project. He said that the proposed project was of high importance to boost tourism activities. He termed promotion of tourism one of the top priorities of government.

The meeting also discussed matters related to the restoration and development of famous tourists destination of Sheikh Badin and it was informed that a project in that regard was reflected in the current Annual Development Programme.