The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved two major ropeway projects to enhance pilgrimage and tourism experiences in Uttarakhand. The first project involves the construction of a 12.9 km ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath at a cost of ₹4,081.28 crore, as announced by Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This ropeway, developed under a public-private partnership model, will utilize advanced Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology with a capacity to transport 1,800 passengers per hour in each direction, equating to 18,000 passengers daily. It will significantly reduce travel time from 8–9 hours to approximately 36 minutes, offering an eco-friendly and efficient transportation alternative for pilgrims.

The second approved project, costing ₹2,730.13 crore, is a 12.4 km ropeway connecting Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji. The current journey to Hemkund Sahib Ji involves a challenging 21 km trek, often completed on foot, ponies, or palanquins. The proposed ropeway aims to provide a more convenient and all-weather travel option for pilgrims and tourists visiting the nearby Valley of Flowers.

This ropeway will also be developed through a public-private partnership. It will feature a Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) system for the 10.55 km stretch from Govindghat to Ghangaria, integrated with Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology for the final 1.85 km to Hemkund Sahib Ji. With a design capacity of 1,100 passengers per hour per direction, it will accommodate 11,000 passengers daily. Both projects, approved under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are expected to revolutionize travel in the region by providing faster, safer, and more accessible transportation while supporting sustainable tourism and pilgrimage activities.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.