Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a vocal advocate of spiritual/religious tourism to capitalise the full potential of the tourism sector in the country. Be it the Buddha circuit or the development projects in Kashi or Ayodhya, the Modi government has been taking a slew of measures to boost religious tourism across the country.
Now the Union Cabinet has approved Kedarnath, Hemkund Sahib Ropeway projects to give major philip to the development of the two major pilgrimage centers of the Sanatan Dharma.
Two major ropeway projects in Uttarakhand have been sanctioned under the National Ropeway Development Program – Parvat Mala Project. These are –
Sonprayag to Kedarnath (12.9 km)
Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib (12.4 km)
Kedarnath Ropeway Project
Kedarnath Temple is one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located at an altitude of 3,583 m (11,968 ft) in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand. It is 21 km away from Sonprayag, with 5 km by road to Gaurikund, followed by a 16-km uphill trek. In 2023, Kedarnath saw a footfall of 23 lakh pilgrims.
Now the Union Cabinet has approved the Kedarnath Ropeway Project with an estimated capital cost of ₹4,081 crore. It is part of the Parvatmala Pariyojana initiative. From Sonprayag to Kedarnath, the ropeway spans 12.9 km. It will be implemented by the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) which is a subsidiary of NHAI.
As part of the project, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) between Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) and NHLML will develop the project reducing the travel time drastically from 8-9 hours to just 36 minutes.
This ropeway project is being developed under the Design Build Finance Operate Transfer (DBFOT) model to ensure efficient and smooth transportation for pilgrims. It will have a minimum capacity of 1,800 persons per hour per direction (PPHPD). The project concession period is 35 years, including six years of construction.
The ropeway will have three mandatory stations at Sonprayag, Gaurikund, and Kedarnath.
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Regulated under the Uttarakhand Ropeways Act, 2014, the ropeway project will ensure safety, licensing, and tariff control.
Hemkund Sahib Ropeway Project
Hemkund Sahib Ji is a highly revered Sikh pilgrimage site which is located at an altitude of 15,000 ft in Chamoli, Uttarakhand. The 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji meditated at the Hemkund Sahib. The religious place is also believed to be the meditation ground of Lord Rama’s brother, Lakshmana.
From May to September, the Gurudwara is open for five months a year. In 2023, around 1.77 lakh pilgrims visited Hemkund Sahib. The route to Hemkund Sahib passes through Ghangaria, which is also the gateway to the Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This Ropeway project spans a total length of 12.4 km and it will connect Govind Ghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km) and Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib (1.85 km).
Developed under the DBFOT model, the project’s estimated cost is around ₹2,589.04 crore. It will have a capacity of 1,100 persons per hour per direction (PPHPD).
The concession period for the project is 35 years, which includes six years of construction. Once operational, the ropeway will significantly reduce travel time to approximately 42 minutes. This will allow extension of Darshan hours from 6 AM to 4 PM, compared to the current 4-5 hours.
The ropeway will have three mandatory stations at Govindghat, Ghangaria, and Hemkund Sahib Ji. The project will be regulated under the Uttarakhand Ropeways Act, 2014, ensuring strict safety standards, licensing, and operational monitoring for a secure and efficient pilgrimage experience.
The Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib Ropeway projects mark a significant milestone in India’s efforts to modernize pilgrimage infrastructure. These projects will offer an affordable, safe, and sustainable transport alternative as well as boost the local economy by boosting tourism-related revenue. Additionally, it will provide easier access for elderly and differently-abled pilgrims, enhancing inclusivity.
