Ropeway Projects Approved in Uttarakhand | 06 Mar 2025

Why in News? 

On March 5, 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by Prime Minister approved two ropeway projects in Uttarakhand. 

 Key Points 

  • About the ropeway: 
    • The ropeways will connect Sonprayag to Kedarnath and Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara. 
    • These projects, estimated at Rs 7,000 crore, fall under the National Ropeways Development Programme, Parvatmala Pariyojana. 
    • The ropeways will significantly reduce travel time to pilgrimage sites located over 3,500 metres above sea level. 
  • Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ropeway: 
    • Length: 12.4 km 
    • Cost: Rs 2,730.13 crore 
    • Development Mode: Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) under a public-private partnership (PPP). 
    • Current Trek: Pilgrims currently take a challenging 21-km uphill trek from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib, traveling on foot, ponies, or palanquins. 
    • Expected Benefits: 
      • The ropeway will ease travel for pilgrims, as the Gurudwara is open only for five months a year (May to September). 
      • 1.5 to 2 lakh pilgrims visit Hemkund Sahib annually. 
      • It will also benefit tourists visiting the Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
  • Sonprayag to Kedarnath Ropeway: 
    • Length: 12.9 km 
    • Cost: Rs 4,081.28 crore 
    • Technology: Similar to the Hemkund Sahib ropeway 
    • Time Reduction: 
      • The ropeway will reduce travel time from the current 8-9 hours to just 36 minutes. 
      • Pilgrims currently take helicopters, ponies, or walk a 16-km uphill path from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. 
      • Kedarnath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and the most visited temple of the Char Dham Yatra. 
  • Economic and Tourism Impact: 
    • The ropeway projects will generate employment during construction and operation. 
    • They will boost allied industries such as hospitality, travel, food & beverages (F&B), and tourism throughout the year. 

 Parvatmala Pariyojana 

  • It was announced in the union budget 2022-23 as an Efficient and Safe Alternate Transport Network. 
  • The scheme will be taken up on PPP (Public Private Partnership) mode, which will be a preferred ecologically sustainable alternative in place of conventional roads in difficult hilly areas. 
  • The idea is to improve connectivity and convenience for commuters, besides promoting tourism. 
    • This may also cover congested urban areas, where conventional mass transit systems are not feasible. 

 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)  

  • It is chaired by the Prime Minister, and sets priorities for public sector investments.  
  • It continuously reviews economic trends to develop an integrated economic policy framework and oversees policies and activities in the economic field, including foreign investment, requiring high-level decisions.