Govt set to earn big from Kedarnath Ropeway as preferred bidder Adani offers 42% revenue share

The government is set to earn revenue from the upcoming ropeway project connecting Sonprayag, Gaurikund, and Kedarnath without making any investment, according to a report by Dipak Dash in The Times of India. Adani Enterprises, the preferred bidder, has quoted a revenue share of around 42% with the National Highway Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), the central agency responsible for such infrastructure projects.

Given that the nearly 13-km-long ropeway is expected to draw a large number of pilgrims—thanks to a reduction in travel time from 8–9 hours to just 36 minutes—three out of four bidders had proposed revenue-sharing arrangements with NHLML, the report said.

Earlier, NHLML had cancelled the bidding process twice. After incorporating several changes, fresh bids were invited. The project recently received Cabinet approval and will be implemented under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, with an estimated cost of ₹4,081 crore.

Sonprayag-Kedarnath ropeway

The ropeway is designed to carry 18,000 people daily, or around 32 lakh annually. As the Kedarnath temple typically operates for six months a year, the project is expected to significantly ease access for pilgrims. It is slated for completion in six years, and the selected concessionaire will have the right to operate, maintain, and collect fares for 35 years.

The Sonprayag-Kedarnath ropeway will use Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology, with each gondola capable of accommodating 36 passengers. Last year, around 23 lakh pilgrims visited the Kedarnath shrine.

Meanwhile, officials said financial bids for the 12.4-km Govindghat-Ghangaria-Hemkund Sahib ropeway project will be opened next week. Estimated to cost ₹2,730 crore, the project will have the capacity to transport 11,000 passengers per day.

With inputs from ToI