According to Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, construction on the Shimla Ropeway Project, slated to be the world’s second-largest, will begin on 1 March 2025. The Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Mukesh Agnihotri, announced that the construction of the world’s second-largest ropeway project in the state is set to commence on March 1, 2025. All the necessary paperwork for forest clearance under the Forest Clearance Act (FCA) has already been uploaded to the portal, as per a statement.
This project will consist of three different route lines – Monal Line, Deodar Line, and Apple Line, and will include a total of 15 stations. The New Development Bank conducted a fact-finding mission from June 2 to June 10 and gave its approval on July 12. Mukesh Agnihotri, who is also in charge of the transport and highways portfolio, shared this information. He mentioned that the official approval is anticipated at the bank’s Board of Directors meeting, expected to be held in December 2024. Agnihotri also noted that the fare for the ropeway route will vary for locals and tourists, and will be decided by the state government.
The Shimla Ropeway will cover a distance of 60 kilometers, with 20 percent of the total project cost of Rs 1,734.40 crore being sponsored by the government. Initially, the ropeway will have a capacity to transport 2,000 people per hour, and this number is projected to increase to 6,000 for round-trip travel by 2059. India is only home to 20 of the 25,000 ropeways found around the world. Himachal Pradesh is at the forefront of this trend, as evidenced by the establishment of the Baglamukhi Temple ropeway and the recent approval of the Baba Balaknath Temple ropeway by the cabinet. The proposed route will include a total of 13 boarding stations, namely Taradevi, Judicial Complex, Chakkar, Tutikandi, New ISBT, Railway Station, Old ISBT, Lift, Chhota Shimla, Navbahar, Sanjauli, IGMC, Lakkar Bazaar, and 103 Tunnel. It is anticipated that this project will generate employment opportunities for 250 individuals directly and over 20,000 indirectly. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sunder Singh Thakur claimed that the installation of ropeways would alleviate traffic congestion in the city, highlighting the Bijili Mahadev Ropeway in Kullu as a significant milestone.
Principal Secretary (Transport) R.D. Nazim disclosed that the funding for the Shimla Ropeway Project would primarily come from an 80 percent loan from the New Development Bank, while the state government would contribute the remaining 20 percent. Bolivia is home to the longest ropeway in the world, spanning 32 kilometers, and there are approximately 25,000 ropeways worldwide. In India, there are currently only 20 ropeways in operation. Himachal Pradesh is making progress in this field, with projects like the Baglamukhi Temple and the soon-to-be-built Baba Balaknath Temple ropeways leading the way. The Shimla Ropeway, which will feature 13 boarding points like Taradevi, Judicial Complex, Chakkar, Tutikandi, New ISBT, Railway Station, Old ISBT, Lift, Chhota Shimla, Navbahar, Sanjauli, IGMC, and Lakkar Bazaar, is anticipated to create jobs for around 250 individuals directly and more than 20,000 indirectly.
Interesting 🙂