The cable car from Almaty to Issyk-Kul could pay off in 5 years.
The cable car from Almaty to Issyk-Kul could pay off in five years. This was reported by the head of the ecological union of Kazakhstan "Tabigat," Mels Eleusizov.
The ecologist explained that the Almaty-Issyk-Kul cable car is part of a larger project called "Lake Transit." The idea is that the gondola cabins will depart from the Big Almaty Lake. On the way to Issyk-Kul, at transfer stations, people will be able to get off, take a walk, and enjoy the beauty of nature. At some stations, it is proposed to build hotel complexes and ski resorts. "In winter, tourists will be able to ascend into the mountains, ski, and ride down to the next station, already on the territory of Kyrgyzstan. In summer, the final destination is Issyk-Kul. Kazakhs love it. It's much better than traveling all night by bus. Here, it's three to four hours, and you're there. And while you travel, you enjoy the nature and can step out to breathe fresh air at the stations," Eleusizov said.
According to him, the Almaty-Issyk-Kul cable car could become a year-round project that will attract not only local tourists but also foreign ones. The head of "Tabigat" compares "Lake Transit" to the resorts of France, Switzerland, and Austria. The ecologist notes that most ski resorts in Kazakhstan face problems with a lack of snow, and artificial snowmaking is "very expensive." "In our project, there are excellent slopes, nothing needs to be cut down, and most importantly, the altitude allows the snow to stay for a long time, meaning costs for artificial snowmaking will not be required," Eleusizov stated.
Discussing safety aspects, he is confident that the Almaty-Issyk-Kul cable car will only improve the situation at the border of the two countries. The idea is that a border checkpoint will be at the entrance to the Kazakh side and at the exit on the Kyrgyz side, and throughout the journey, border guards will be able to monitor the situation. "This will only improve the situation and enhance security. Right now, no one knows who goes where. But after the cable car is built, there will constantly be people and control," the interlocutor noted.
The cost of the Almaty-Issyk-Kul cable car is one billion dollars. However, despite the large figures, the ecologist is confident that the "Lake Transit" project will pay off in just five years. This was shown by a feasibility study that was recently conducted. "There are also no problems with the extension of communications. It's done all over the world. Companies know how to do it. The main thing is to have financial capabilities," the speaker explained.
It should be noted that Mels Eleusizov proposed building the Almaty-Issyk-Kul cable car back in 2011. However, according to him, no one has supported the initiative over the years: "Mostly, people say that money will flow into Kyrgyzstan. But that's nonsense. This is a joint venture; everything is calculated simply. Whoever invests gets their share. This will be a zone of friendship."
Source: tengrinews.kz
