The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two major ropeway projects in Uttarakhand to improve connectivity to Hemkund Sahib Ji and Kedarnath. These projects will be built under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model.
Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji Ropeway
A 12.4 km ropeway from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji has been approved at a cost of Rs 2,730.13 crore. Currently, reaching Hemkund Sahib Ji requires a 21-km uphill trek, which is difficult and is usually completed on foot, ponies, or palanquins.
The ropeway will provide all-weather connectivity, making travel easier for pilgrims visiting Hemkund Sahib Ji and tourists exploring the Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This project will be developed in a public-private partnership (PPP) using the Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) system from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km). It will then use the Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) system for the Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib Ji (1.85 km) section. The ropeway will have a capacity of 1,100 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), accommodating 11,000 passengers daily.
Hemkund Sahib Ji is a sacred Sikh pilgrimage site located at 15,000 feet in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. The Gurudwara is open for five months (May to September) and receives 1.5 to 2 lakh devotees annually.
Sonprayag to Kedarnath Ropeway
The Cabinet has also approved a 12.9 km ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath, which will cost Rs 4,081.28 crore.
Currently, reaching Kedarnath Temple requires a 16-km trek from Gaurikund, which takes 8 to 9 hours on foot, ponies, palanquins, or helicopters. The ropeway will reduce travel time to just 36 minutes, providing a faster, more comfortable, and environmentally friendly option for pilgrims.
This ropeway will use Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology, with a design capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), allowing 18,000 passengers per day.
Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, located at 3,583 meters (11,968 feet) in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand. The temple is open for six to seven months, from Akshaya Tritiya (April-May) to Diwali (October-November), and attracts 20 lakh pilgrims annually.
The two ropeways will significantly improve travel for pilgrims and tourists, making their journeys faster, safer, and more convenient. Additionally, they will boost employment and economic growth in the region by supporting businesses in tourism, hospitality, and transport.
Cover photo: freepik.com
