Srinagar based FIL Group ventures into the world of travel & tourism, with an investment of 175 crores by its subsidiary Empyrean Skyview Projects Private Limited (ESPPL) in its first project, Skyview Patnitop.
“Skyview Patnitop” by Empyrean is an initiative which was made possible through a strategic fusion of entrepreneurship, global partnerships, and modern technology to offer a world class adventure destination at the foothills of the Shivalik mountain range in Patnitop, J&K. This ambitious project aims to transform Patnitop, a hill station in Jammu into a major tourist attraction not only in North India but also the entire nation. It has turned out to be one of the most successful Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects in the country, built in a record time of 2 years and 4 months. It couldn’t have been possible without our crew which mostly consists of local graduates says Syed Owais Altaf, Head-Strategic Alliances, ESPPL.
The Ropeway connects Sanget, the lower terminal that welcomes visitors, to Patnitop, the Upper terminal. It is India’s highest ropeway in terms of ground clearance, soaring over 65 meters above the ground. It takes you through some of the most eye pleasing sceneries, that change with the seasons. They ropeway features 18 cable cars(gondolas) with 8 towers, planned and developed in collaboration with the most prominent companies in the world, including the POMA group, MND group, ERIC and Sage Geotech, making it the largest Indo-French collaboration in mountain infrastructure. The Gondolas are also certified by CEN, the highest safety standard for ropeways in the world. This newly commissioned adventure tourism project was awarded the Best Adventure Tourism Destination 2019 by The Travel & Tourism Excellence Award organized by FICCI and Ernst & Young in August 2019.
The idea is to promote Patnitop as a destination and promote Jammu’s tourism in a larger perspective, which is presently confined to Katra for religious tourism, says Owais. Adding something new every quarter is the short-term plan for Owais, and these include mountain biking, horse riding, an amphitheatre in the next quarter. He reiterated that Skyview Patnitop will surely emerge as a leading adventure destination and put Patnitop on the map for adventure and leisure tourism in India and abroad. With the right team put together and collaborations with right partners, everything is possible, he added.
The project is spread over 11 acres of land including 10 acres at the lower terminal and 1 acre at upper Terminal. The Lower terminal also consists of other adventure activities; Zip Lining, Tubing Sledge, a Magic carpet which helps to get to those activites, and an area dedicated to F&B comprising of fine dining restaurants, cafes and food carts, whereas the upper terminal is an entrance to the delightful hill-station, Patnitop.
This Adventure tourism project is set in scenic countryside, providing a great experience of adventure, thrill, culture and food for every taste and pocket. It also has tie-ups with the best hotels in Patnitop. The project has been very responsible in terms of being nature friendly, by cutting no trees during the process and harvesting the rain water with its unique architectural design.
It takes a 2-hour drive from Jammu airport, on the four-lane highway, across four spectacular tunnels, to reach this visually pleasing destination, just 3 km from the famous Chenani Nashri tunnel. Sanget can also be reached from Katra in just 90 minutes and from Udhampur, which is only 45 minutes away. The destination’s easy accessibility via air, rail and road will make it into a much visited adventure activity destination. Some of the nearby attractions include; Sanasar, Madhatop Nathatop and temples such as the 600 year-old Naag Mandir and other ancient places of worship.
Syed Junaid Altaf, Managing Director, Empyrean Skyview Projects, stated, “Empyrean’s vision of creating a world-class integrated mountain tourism infrastructure destination for tourists is now ready to welcome visitors. Skyview Patnitop is sure to drive tourism to this unexplored paradise with its clean air, unique landscape, endemic flora and wildlife, biodiversity and the timeless local culture and history”.