CCEA approves two ropeway projects in Uttarakhand; total project cost Rs 6800 crore

The cabinet committee of economic affairs Wednesday gave its go-ahead to two ropeway projects in Uttarakhand to be built at a cumulative cost of Rs 6811.41 on design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) mode under the Parvatmala Pariyojana.

The Sonprayag to Kedarnath ropeway in Uttarakhand will be 12.9 km with a total capital cost of Rs 4,081.28 crore. It will have a design capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD) carrying 18,000 passengers per day.

Besides, it will reduce travel time in one direction from about eight-nine hours to about 36 minutes.


The Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji ropeway in Uttarakhand will be 12.4 km with a total capital cost of Rs 2,730.13 crore. It will have a design capacity of 1,100 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD) carrying 11,000 passengers per day.

The two ropeways will be developed in public-private partnership mode. While the ropeway to Kedarnath will be based on the most advanced tri-cable detachable gondola (3S) technology, the Hemkund Sahib Ji ropeway will be based on monocable detachable gondola (MDG) from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km), integrated with the tricable detachable gondola (3S) technology from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib Ji (1.85 km).

The ropeway projects will also generate substantial employment opportunities during construction and operations as well as in allied tourism industries like hospitality, travel, foods and beverages (F&B) and tourism throughout the year, CCEA said in a statement issued after the Cabinet meeting.

The development of the ropeway project is a significant step towards fostering balanced socio-economic development, enhancing last mile connectivity for pilgrims and fostering rapid economic growth of the region, it said.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in the Union Budget 2022-23, had announced the National Ropeways Development Programme – “Parvatmala”, to be taken up on PPP mode, saying it will be a preferred ecologically sustainable alternative in place of conventional roads in difficult hilly areas.


This may also cover congested urban areas, where conventional mass transit systems are not feasible, she said, adding the idea is to improve connectivity and convenience for commuters, besides promoting tourism.