By Our Staff Reporter
New Delhi, 5 Mar: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), in a meeting held today and chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a 12.9 km ropeway project from Sonprayag to Kedarnath. The decision ‘incidentally’ comes right ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Uttarakhand visit scheduled for tomorrow.
The Union Government has stated that the project will be developed under the National Ropeways Development Programme, ‘Parvatmala Pariyojana’, at a total capital cost of Rs 4,081.28 crores.
The ropeway will be developed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) mode, and it is planned as a public-private partnership. Utilising the most advanced Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology, the ropeway will have a design capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), capable of carrying 18,000 passengers per day.
This project promises to be a boon for pilgrims visiting Kedarnath, offering an environment-friendly, comfortable, and faster connectivity option. The travel time in one direction will be reduced from about 8 to 9 hours to approximately 36 minutes. This will probably also reduce pressure on heli-services to Kedarnath as it is expected to be a safer mode of travel in the higher hills as compared to chopper services.
According to a statement issued by the Centre, in addition to improving connectivity, the ropeway project will generate substantial employment opportunities during its construction and operational phases, as well as in related tourism industries such as hospitality, travel, food and beverages (F&B), and tourism, all year round.
The development of this ropeway is a significant step towards fostering balanced socio-economic development, enhancing last-mile connectivity in hill regions, and promoting rapid economic growth.
Currently, the journey to Kedarnath Temple, one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas, involves a challenging 16-km uphill trek from Gaurikund, undertaken on foot or by ponies, palanquins, and alternatively also helicopter services. The proposed ropeway will provide convenience to pilgrims and ensure all-weather connectivity between Sonprayag and Kedarnath.
Kedarnath temple is situated at an elevation of 3,583 metres (11,968 feet) in the Rudraprayag district. The temple is open for pilgrims for about 6 to 7 months a year, from Akshaya Tritiya (April-May) to Diwali (October-November), attracting approximately 20 lakh pilgrims annually during the season.
Ropeway Project from Govindghat to Hemkund also cleared
By Our Staff Reporter
New Delhi, 5 Mar: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) meeting held today and chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a 12.4 km ropeway from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib under the National Ropeway Development Programme, “Parvatmala Project”. This project, to be developed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) mode, has an estimated total capital cost of Rs 2,730.13 crores.
At present, the journey to Hemkund Sahib involves a challenging 21 km trek from Govindghat, undertaken on foot, by pony, or via palanquin. The proposed ropeway aims to provide all-weather, last-mile connectivity, making the pilgrimage more accessible for devotees and facilitating tourism to the Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The project will be developed through a public-private partnership (PPP) and will incorporate state-of-the-art ropeway technology including Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km) and Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib (1.85 km). It is designed to handle 1,100 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), with a daily capacity of 11,000 passengers.
The Centre has claimed that the ropeway project is expected to generate significant employment opportunities during both construction and operation. It will also boost allied sectors such as hospitality, travel, food & beverage (F&B), and tourism, ensuring year-round economic benefits for the region.
The development of this ropeway marks a significant milestone in promoting balanced socio-economic growth, enhancing accessibility for pilgrims, and fostering the region’s rapid economic development.
Located at an altitude of 15,000 feet in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, Hemkund Sahib is a highly revered Sikh pilgrimage site. The Gurudwara, open for about five months from May to September, attracts 1.5 to 2 lakh pilgrims annually. The pilgrimage route also serves as the gateway to the Valley of Flowers National Park, renowned for its breathtaking alpine flora.
The ropeway project is set to revolutionise travel in the region, ensuring safer, faster, and more comfortable access to these iconic destinations.
