Dehradun: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given the green light to a major infrastructure project in Uttarakhand.

The approval has been granted for a 12.9 km ropeway project connecting Sonprayag to Kedarnath, under the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana.

Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology will be used

The ropeway project will be developed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) basis, with a total capital cost estimated at Rs. 4,081.28 crore. The construction will be carried out through a public-private partnership, employing the state-of-the-art Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology. This technology will allow the ropeway to have a design capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour per direction, capable of transporting up to 18,000 passengers daily.

Reduction in travel time for pilgrims visiting the Kedarnath temple

One of the significant advantages of this ropeway project is the reduction in travel time for pilgrims visiting the sacred Kedarnath temple. The arduous 8–9-hour trek or journey will be drastically reduced to just 36 minutes, providing a comfortable and environment-friendly mode of transportation.

The ropeway project is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities

Apart from providing quick and easy access to Kedarnath, the ropeway project is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities, both during its construction phase and through its operation. This includes jobs in allied tourism industries such as hospitality, travel, food and beverages (F&B), and other tourism- services. The development of the ropeway is seen as a significant step towards balanced socio-economic development, enhancing last-mile connectivity in hilly regions, and fostering rapid economic growth.

Anticipated to have a positive environmental impact

The introduction of the ropeway is expected to boost the local economy by increasing tourist footfall and providing a safer and more accessible route to the temple. Additionally, the project is anticipated to have a positive environmental impact by reducing the reliance on ponies and helicopters, which contribute to pollution and environmental degradation.

Kedarnath is one of the Char Dham shrines in Uttarakhand

Kedarnath, one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas, is situated at an elevation of 3,583 meters (11,968 ft) in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The temple opens to pilgrims for about 6 to 7 months each year, from Akshaya Tritiya (April-May) to Diwali (October-November), attracting around 20 lakh visitors annually. Currently, the 16-km uphill trek to the temple from Gaurikund is covered on foot, by ponies, palanquins, or helicopter, which poses challenges for many pilgrims.