Governance
India’s Longest River Ropeway in Assam
- 25 Aug 2020
- 2 min read
Why in News
The Assam government has inaugurated a 1.8-km ropeway across the Brahmaputra river, and described it as India’s longest river ropeway.
Key Points
- About the Ropeway:
- Built at the cost of Rs. 56 crore, it extends from Central to Northern Guwahati. It takes eight minutes to traverse the entire length of the ropeway.
- It passes over the mid-river Peacock Island that houses Umananda, a medieval Shiva temple.
- According to the government, this is one of the most advanced & longest river crossing Aerial Tramway systems in India.
- Aerial tramways are particularly well-suited in extreme terrain since the towers can be erected at larger intervals.
- Need:
- Thousands of people commute every day between the capital city of Guwahati and the town of North Guwahati, where IIT Guwahati is located.
- Other travel options between the two banks are by ferry (30 minutes or more, depending on current and season) or by road through a bridge that usually takes over an hour in the traffic.
- Thousands of people commute every day between the capital city of Guwahati and the town of North Guwahati, where IIT Guwahati is located.
- Other Benefits:
- Apart from substantially reducing travel time, the ropeway will provide a breathtaking view of the Brahmaputra river and promote tourism in the State.
- Tourists can take the ropeway to North Guwahati and spend quality time on that side. Hospitality services will also develop on that side and thus the ropeway is expected to be an overall boost for tourism in the city.
- Further, the ropeway is considered as a convenient and non-polluting means of transport, as well as a source of environmentally friendly tourism.
- It is ecologically sustainable as it is run by electric power protecting the beauty of the area, while simultaneously providing passengers with a comfortable and speedy means of travel.
