ABBOTTABAD, Aug 12: The Galyat Development Authority (GDA) has announced that the country’s oldest chairlift at Ayubia will be opened for public on Aug 13.

The chairlift, which remained closed for more than one-and-a-half years, was run on trial, following which GDA director Ikramullah announced its re-opening from Aug 13.

The Ayubia chairlift, which was imported from Switzerland and installed in 1962, was the first chairlift of its kind in Pakistan and was the main source of attraction for tourists, who visit Galyat (Nathiagali, Donga Gali, Changala Gali) in summer every year.

The GDA, earlier run by the provincial government, was brought under the control of district government. The new management awarded contract to a company, which had imported the equipment from Switzerland and France and some parts were arranged locally.

Ikramullah Khan said the GDA had asked the contractor to make replacement and repair of the work from ISO certified companies.

He pointed out that under the clauses of the contract, the contractors would pay the GDA Rs294 million in four equal instalments in five years.

He disclosed that the GDA would receive at least more than 40 per cent from the last receipts from the chairlift. The contractor would pay Rs40,000 per month to the GDA in salaries, he said, adding that the GDA had incurred Rs2.5 million on its repair.

The Governor of NWFP, Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah, had issued special directions for the chairlift repair after he received several complaints from the locals, the hotel and restaurant owners and tourists.