The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the construction of a ropeway project worth Rs 4,081.28 crore from Sonprayag to Kedarnath, spanning 12.9 km. The project will be developed on the basis of Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer mode, as per a press release.
The project is to be executed via a public-private partnership and will utilise T'ri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S)' technology with a design capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour per direction, enabling it to carry 18,000 passengers per day.
The ropeway project was built to facilitate environment-friendly, comfortable and fast connectivity for pilgrims visiting Kedarnath and reduce the time taken to travel in one direction to 36 minutes from eight to nine hours.
The ropeway project is also expected to generate substantial employment opportunities during construction and operations as well as in allied tourism industries like hospitality, travel, foods and beverages and tourism throughout the year.
"The development of ropeway project is a significant step towards fostering balanced socio-economic development, enhancing last-mile connectivity in hilly regions and fostering rapid economic growth," the press release said.
The ropeway was built to provide convenience to pilgrims, as the journey to the Kedarnath temple involves a 16-km uphill trek from Gaurikund and is currently covered on foot or by ponies, palanquins and helicopter. It is also expected to ensure all-weather connectivity between Sonprayag and Kedarnath.
Kedarnath is one of 12 sacred Jyotirlingas which is located at an elevation of 3,583 m (1,1968 ft) in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The temple is open for pilgrims for about six to seven months in a year from Akshaya Tritiya (April-May) to Diwali (October-November) and is visited by about 20 lakh pilgrims annually during the season.
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