Two ropeway projects set to be launched this year in state

With photos
Pune: Two ropeway projects — 5.76-km Nashik Brahmagiri-Anjaneri and 0.64-km Ramtek Gad Mandir — would be implemented in the state this year with Rs500 crore central budget allocation, National Highways Logistic Management Limited (NHLML) officials said on Saturday.
Of the 40 ropeway proposals under evaluation across the state since last year, feasibility studies have been conducted for 19 of them.
These projects span major cities and tourist destinations, including Pune, Mumbai, Nashik, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Satara, and Ratnagiri. The other proposals include connecting Harishchandra Fort in Ahmednagar, Sunset Point Jawhar in Palghar, and Goa Fort at Dapoli in Ratnagiri. Only Raigad ropeway is operational in the state at present.
"These proposals have been in discussion for the last two to three years. The Union ministry of road, transport and highways will evaluate the remaining proposals through NHLML (National Highways Logistic Management Limited)," said a senior officer from the state public welfare department (PWD). NHLML is responsible for implementation of the ropeway projects in the country.
Last year, Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari said more than 200 projects at a cost of Rs 1.25 lakh crore had been identified in the coming five years under National Ropeways Development Programme, "Parvatmala Pariyojana".
The scheme aims to make ropeways economically viable by bringing down overall project cost and encouraging public private partnership. Apart from facilitating tourism in hilly areas, ropeway offers huge potential in urban public transport as well. He said the focus should be on developing indigenous and cost-efficient solutions without compromising on safety. According to the proposal, 60% construction support is provided under hybrid annuity mode (HAM for ropeways) compared to 40% support provided under National Highways to attract more private players for development of ropeways under Parvatmala Pariyojana.
The PWD official said these proposals would be independently evaluated by NHLML because part funding would come from the Centre as a part of the Parvatmala Yojana. The Union ministry had proposed ropeway as a mode of transport in a bid to reduce traffic at tourist destinations.
NHLML officials, who did not wish to be named, said the feasibility study would be a time-consuming process. "The bidding process would commence after the study," said an official of NHLML.
The state is expected to only provide land on lease for landing of cable cars. According to the scheme, NHLML has been mandated to implement the feasible ropeway projects from the proposals submitted by the state govts.
NHLML officials also confirmed that detailed project reports (DPRs) were being prepared for Shivneri Fort project in Pune and Kanakeshwar project in Alibaug. This development is part of a larger national initiative, where over 130 ropeway projects are under feasibility assessment, with 50 prioritised for DPR studies across the country.
GRAPHICS
**National Ropeway Projects: Status Update**
**Key Overview:**
- Total prioritised length: 60 km
- Estimated investment: Rs 11,000 crore
- Initiative announced: Union Budget 2022-23
**Projects Under Construction:**
1. Varanasi Urban Ropeway (3.85 km)
- India's first urban ropeway project
- Expected completion: 2025
- Current status: Test trials ongoing for Cantt Railway Station to Rathyatra section
2. Bijli Mahadev (2.34 km)
- Expected completion: 2026
3. Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain (1.76 km)
- Expected completion: 2026
**Projects Under Award Process:**
1. Dhosi Hill, Mahendragarh (0.88 km)
2. Sangam, Prayagraj (2.2 km)
3. Shankaracharya (1.05 km)
4. Tikitoriya Mata Temple (0.15 km)
**Projects Under Bidding (Total ~54 km):**
1. Sonprayag – Kedarnath (12.9 km)
2. Govindghat – Ghangaria – Hemkund Sahib Ji (12.4 km)
3. Kamakhya Temple (1.43 km)
4. Ramtek Gad Mandir (0.64 km)
5. Tawang Monastery – P T Tso Lake (5.15 km)
6. Kathgodam – Hanuman Temple, Nainital (14.9 km)
7. Brahmagiri – Anjaneri (5.76 km)