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Ropeway Projects in Uttarakhand
Context:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the development of two ropeway projects in Uttarakhand on March 5, 2025.
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- These projects will be built under the National Ropeways Development Programme, also known as Parvatmala Pariyojana.
- The total cost of the projects is ₹7,000 crore, and they are aimed at reducing travel time to two important pilgrimage sites situated over 3,500 metres above sea level.
Parvatmala Pariyojana and Other Developments
- Launched in the Union Budget 2022-23.
- Target: 250+ ropeway projects, totalling 1,200 km under the PPP model, with 60% funding from the Government of India.
- Implementation: Managed by National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a subsidiary of NHAI.
- Current & Upcoming Projects:
- A 3.85 km ropeway in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) is under construction.
- Three ropeway projects (4.93 km total) were awarded for Bijli Mahadev (Himachal Pradesh), Dhosi Hill (Haryana), and Mahakaleshwar Temple (Madhya Pradesh).
- Bids Invited: For seven projects totaling 53.28 km, including the Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib projects.
- Feasibility Studies: Ongoing for 12 additional projects covering 39 km.
- MoUs: Signed with 13 States/UTs for the development of ropeway projects.
Key Highlights of the Ropeway Projects
- Technology: Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) & Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) systems for smooth and high-capacity transport.
- MDG system from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km).
- 3S system from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib (1.85 km).
- Mode of Development: Public-Private Partnership (PPP) under Design, Build, Finance, Operate & Transfer (DBFOT) model.
- Major Benefits: Drastic reduction in travel time, Convenience for pilgrims and tourists, Boost to tourism & local economy, and Employment generation during construction & operations.
Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ropeway
- Length: 12.4 km.
- Capital Cost: ₹2,730.13 crore.
- Route: This ropeway will connect Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, which is currently a 21-km uphill trek.
- The journey to Hemkund Sahib is typically covered on foot, by ponies, or palanquins. The ropeway will significantly reduce the difficulty of the journey.
- Capacity: The ropeway will carry 1,100 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), with a daily capacity of 11,000 passengers.
- Annual Pilgrims: Approximately 1.5 to 2 lakh pilgrims visit the Gurudwara each year, which remains open from May to September.
- The ropeway will also benefit tourists visiting the Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sonprayag to Kedarnath Ropeway
- Length: 12.9 km.
- Capital Cost: ₹4,081.28 crore.
- Route: The ropeway will connect Sonprayag to Kedarnath.
- The current journey to Kedarnath takes eight to nine hours, either via helicopter, ponies, or a 16-km uphill trek. The ropeway will reduce travel time to just 36 minutes.
- Capacity: The ropeway will carry 1,800 PPHPD, with a daily capacity of 18,000 passengers.
- Kedarnath is part of the Char Dham Yatra and is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples, making it the most visited temple in the region.
Economic & Infrastructure Impact
- Employment Generation: Jobs during construction & operation in tourism, hospitality, and transport sectors.
- Tourism Boost: Increased footfall for religious and eco-tourism in Uttarakhand.
- Cost Efficiency: Ropeways have lower land acquisition costs than roads but higher per km construction costs.
- Government Investment:
- ₹300 crore allocated in FY 2024-25, with ₹200 crore spent by December 2024.
- Planned ropeway length: 60 km for FY 2025.
