“For the first time in the country, the 'Parvatmala scheme' is being started for areas such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu-Kashmir and the North-East. This scheme will create a modern system of transportation and connectivity on the mountains. It will also strengthen the border villages of our country, which need to be vibrant, and which is also necessary for the security of the country.”

-Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two major ropeway projects in Uttarakhand under the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana. The 12.4 km Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji ropeway will be developed at a cost of ₹2,730.13 crore, while the 12.9 km Sonprayag to Kedarnath ropeway is sanctioned at ₹4,081.28 crore. Both projects will be executed under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.

Parvatmala – A Safe and Efficient Alternate Transport

Developing an efficient transport network is a big challenge in hilly areas. The rail and air transport networks are limited in these areas, while the development of road network has technical challenges. In this backdrop, Ropeways have emerged as a convenient and safe alternate transport mode.

To enhance last-mile connectivity in remote and hilly regions, the Government of India, in the 2022 Budget, announced the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Implemented by the National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), the initiative aims to develop over 250 ropeway projects covering 1,200 km within five years, providing a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional road transport.

Aligned with the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the programme mandates at least 50% indigenous components in ropeway construction. With minimal environmental impact, ropeways offer a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and reliable transport solution for India’s challenging terrains.

Major Factors Driving Ropeway Infrastructure

1. Economical – Ropeways require minimal ground construction, reducing land acquisition costs. Despite higher per km construction costs than roads, they can be more economical overall due to lower maintenance costs.
2. Faster – Ropeways provide a direct aerial route, making them faster by bypassing hilly and challenging terrains.
3. Environmentally Friendly – Ropeways have low dust emissions, and material containers can be designed to prevent environmental pollution.
4. Last-Mile Connectivity – Ropeway projects enable mass transit of passengers, offering an efficient last-mile connectivity solution.

Scope

• Widespread Implementation: Covering states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim.
• Urban and Rural Connectivity: Supports daily commuting in rural areas and tourism hotspots.
• Reduced Congestion: Offers an alternative transport mode in crowded locations.
• Employment Opportunities: Generates jobs in construction, operation, and maintenance.
• Economic Growth: Strengthens local businesses and allied industries.

Benefits of Ropeways[1]

• Ideal for difficult / challenging / sensitive terrain: This mode of transportation will enable mobility to people living in difficult areas and help them become part of the mainstream.

 • Economy: Ropeways have multiple cars propelled by a single power-plant and drive mechanism. This reduces both construction and maintenance costs. The use of a single operator for an entire ropeway is an added saving in terms of labour cost.

• Flexible: A ropeway allows for the simultaneous transport of different types of material. • Ability to handle large slopes: Ropeways and cableways (cable cranes) can handle large slopes and large differences in elevation. Where a road or railroad needs switchbacks or tunnels, a ropeway travels straight up and down the fall line.

 • Low footprint: The fact that only narrow-based vertical supports are needed at intervals, leaving the rest of the ground free, makes it possible for ropeways to be constructed in built-up areas and in places where there is intense competition for land use.  

Kedarnath Ropeway Project

The Sonprayag-Kedarnath Ropeway Project (12.9 km) has been approved under the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana at a cost of ₹4,081.28 crore. It will be developed using advanced Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology, with a capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour per direction. The ropeway will reduce travel time from 8-9 hours to just 36 minutes, providing safe, eco-friendly, and all-weather connectivity for Kedarnath pilgrims. The project will boost tourism, create jobs, and support local industries like hospitality and travel. Kedarnath, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, sees around 20 lakh pilgrims annually, and this project will enhance accessibility to the revered shrine.

 

Hemkund Sahib Ropeway Project

The Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji ropeway will provide all-weather connectivity, replacing the challenging 21-km trek with a modern transport system. It will feature Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km) and Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib Ji (1.85 km), with a capacity of 1,100 passengers per hour per direction, transporting up to 11,000 passengers daily. Situated at 15,000 ft, Hemkund Sahib Ji is visited by 1.5–2 lakh pilgrims annually and is close to the Valley of Flowers (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The project will boost tourism, create jobs, and support the region’s economic growth.

Major Ropeway Projects Under Parvatmala Pariyojana

Ropeway technology enhances connectivity, promotes tourism, and generates employment while being cost-effective and land-efficient. By bypassing natural obstacles such as rivers, buildings, ravines, or roads, ropeways provide a viable alternative to traditional infrastructure. Under Parvatmala Pariyojana, 60 km of projects are planned for award by FY 2024-25, with MoUs signed with 13 States/UTs, including Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, and Maharashtra.

Ropeway Projects Under Construction:

• Varanasi Urban Ropeway: Ropeways are also being developed as an alternate mode of transportation in congested urban areas. In March 2023, foundation stone of India's first urban Ropeway Project was laid by the Hon'ble Prime Minister in Varanasi which is under construction from Varanasi Cantt. Designed to ease congestion on Varanasi’s busy roads, the project will feature 148 Gondola cabins, capable of transporting up to 96,000 passengers per day. The ropeway will enhance connectivity and reduce travel time, offering a modern, efficient, and eco-friendly transit solution for the city. The development of this 3.85 km stretch in Varanasi’s challenging landscape is a major step forward in integrating advanced ropeway technology into India’s urban infrastructure.
• Gaurikund-Kedarnath Ropeway (9.7 km, 3,584m altitude): The most significant benefits of this project, the trek travel time will be reduced to just 28 mins from the current 7 to 9 hour with tri-cable detachable gondola which will carry 3600 passengers per hour per direction.

Upcoming and Awarded Ropeway Projects:

Awarded Projects (4.93 km length)	Preferred Bidders Identified (3.25 km length)	Bids Invited for 7 Projects (53.28 km total)
Bijli Mahadev (Himachal Pradesh)  Dhosi Hill (Haryana), Mahakaleshwar Temple (Madhya Pradesh).	Sangam Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), Shankaracharya Temple (J&K).	Sonprayag – Kedarnath (Uttarakhand) Govindghat – Hemkund Sahib (Uttarakhand) Kamakhya Temple (Assam), Tawang Monastery – P T Tso Lake (Arunachal Pradesh) Kathgodam – Hanuman Garhi Temple (Uttarakhand) Ramtek Gad Temple (Maharashtra) Brahmagiri-Anjaneri (Maharashtra).

 

Conclusion

Parvatmala Pariyojana marks a significant leap in India's infrastructure development, enabling sustainable and efficient transportation in challenging terrains. With ongoing and upcoming projects, ropeways are set to become a key component of India's transport network, reducing travel time, enhancing tourism, and accelerating economic growth while prioritizing environmental sustainability. This initiative aims to establish a safe, cost-effective, convenient, and world-class ropeway infrastructure, ensuring seamless first and last-mile connectivity to enhance logistics efficiency and improve overall mobility in the country.

References

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1796251&reg=3&lang=1
• https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/Annual-Report-English-with-Cover.pdf
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1993425
• https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2022/feb/doc202221516101.pdf
• https://nhai.gov.in/nhai/sites/default/files/mix_file/Rajmaarg_July_2023.pdf

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Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Anchal Patiyal

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