Kedarnath Ropeway: Two major Ropeway projects in Uttarakhand under Parvatmala Pariyojana
The Indian government has recently approved two significant ropeway projects in Uttarakhand under the Parvatmala Pariyojana, a national initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting tourism in hilly regions. These projects are part of a broader effort to develop over 250 ropeway projects across India, with a focus on public-private partnerships (PPP).
Sonprayag to Kedarnath Ropeway
Length: 12.9 km
Cost: Approximately ₹4,081 crore
Technology: Latest gondola technology, specifically Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology
Capacity: 1,800 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), facilitating around 18,000 passengers daily
Travel Time Reduction: From 8-9 hours to just 36 minutes
Impact: Enhances accessibility for pilgrims, especially the elderly and differently-abled, to one of India’s 12 sacred Jyotirlingas.
Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ropeway
Length: 12.4 km
Cost: Approximately ₹2,730 crore
Technology: Monocable Detachable Gondola from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km) and Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib (1.85 km)
Capacity: 1,100 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), with a maximum of 11,000 passengers per day
Travel Time Reduction: From a strenuous 21 km trek to a much shorter journey, providing all-weather connectivity
Impact: Expected to increase visitor numbers by tenfold and benefit those visiting the nearby Valley of Flowers.
Implementation and Benefits
Implementation Mode: Both projects will be developed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model, a variant of the PPP model.
Environmental Impact: The ropeways are designed to be environmentally friendly, reducing the strain on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem while enhancing connectivity.
Economic Benefits: These projects are expected to significantly boost the local economy by increasing tourism and reducing travel times for pilgrims and tourists.
The foundation stones for these projects were laid in October 2022, and construction is expected to be completed within four to six years.
