New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of two ropeway projects. These projects will be developed in Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand, with a total budget allocation of Rs 6,811 crore.
A 12.9-kilometer ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath will be constructed under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model at an estimated cost of Rs 4,081.28 crore. This ropeway, developed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), will be based on the most advanced Tri-Cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology, with a design capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), allowing over 10,000 passengers to travel daily.
For pilgrims visiting Kedarnath, this ropeway project will be a boon, providing an environmentally friendly, comfortable, and fast connection. It will significantly reduce the travel time from 9 hours to just 36 minutes.
Similarly, a 12.4-kilometer ropeway from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib will be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹2,730.13 crore. Currently, the journey to Hemkund Sahib involves a 21-kilometer steep trek, which is mostly undertaken on foot, by pony, or using palanquins.
The construction and operation of these two ropeway projects will also create substantial employment opportunities in the tourism sector, including hospitality, travel, food & beverage, and other related industries, ensuring year-round economic benefits for the region.