The Indian government has approved two major ropeway projects in Uttarakhand under the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana. These projects will connect Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji (12.4 km) and Sonprayag to Kedarnath (12.9 km), ensuring all-weather connectivity, reducing travel time, and boosting tourism, employment, and regional socio-economic growth.
Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji Ropeway Project:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a 12.4 km ropeway from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji in Uttarakhand. The project will be executed under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) mode at a capital cost of Rs. 2,730.13 crore.
- Currently, reaching Hemkund Sahib Ji requires an arduous 21-km uphill trek from Govindghat, covered on foot or using ponies and palanquins.
- The upcoming ropeway will offer a convenient and time-efficient alternative for pilgrims and tourists visiting the Valley of Flowers, ensuring all-weather last-mile connectivity between Govindghat and Hemkund Sahib Ji.
The project will be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, using Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) technology for the Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km) section and the advanced Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology for the Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib Ji (1.85 km) stretch. It is designed to carry 1,100 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), accommodating 11,000 passengers daily.
- Hemkund Sahib Ji, a revered Sikh pilgrimage site, sits at 15,000 feet in Chamoli district. Open for only five months (May–September), the Gurudwara receives 1.5 to 2 lakh pilgrims annually.
- The trek also serves as the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Valley of Flowers, a stunning national park in the Garhwal Himalayas.
Sonprayag to Kedarnath Ropeway Project:
The Cabinet also approved a 12.9 km ropeway project connecting Sonprayag to Kedarnath, a significant religious destination in Uttarakhand. Developed under the DBFOT mode, this project is estimated to cost Rs. 4,081.28 crore.
The ropeway, implemented under the PPP model, will feature the advanced Tri-Cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology with a design capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), accommodating 18,000 passengers daily.
- This project will revolutionize travel to Kedarnath, reducing the one-way travel time from the current 8-9 hours to just 36 minutes.
- It will offer an eco-friendly, comfortable, and faster alternative to the challenging 16-km uphill trek from Gaurikund, currently covered on foot, ponies, palanquins, or helicopter services.
- Kedarnath, one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas, is situated at an elevation of 3,583 meters (11,968 feet) in Rudraprayag district.
- The temple remains open for 6 to 7 months annually (from Akshaya Tritiya in April-May to Diwali in October-November) and attracts nearly 20 lakh pilgrims every season.
Conclusion:
The approval of these ropeway projects marks a transformational step in pilgrimage and tourism infrastructure in Uttarakhand. By reducing travel time, improving accessibility, and generating employment, the initiatives will enhance religious tourism, boost the regional economy, and provide a seamless travel experience for devotees and adventure seekers alike.
Source: PIB – Press Release | Image Credit (representational): Pixabay
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