Indian cabinet approves ropeway projects worth Rs68.11 billion for Hemkund Sahib and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand

New Delhi: In a major boost to religious tourism and last-mile connectivity, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of ropeway projects for Hemkund Sahib Ji and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand.

These projects, worth a combined ₹6,811 crore (₹68.11 billion), will provide safer, faster, and environmentally friendly access to the revered pilgrimage sites, significantly benefiting devotees and tourists.

The ropeway project will also generate substantial employment opportunities during construction and operations as well as in allied tourism industries like hospitality, travel, foods and beverages (F&B) and tourism throughout the year.

The development of the ropeway projects is a significant step towards fostering balanced socio-economic development, enhancing last-mile connectivity in hilly regions and fostering rapid economic growth.

The 12.4-km ropeway from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji, with a capital outlay of ₹2,730.13 crore, will revolutionize the challenging pilgrimage.

Currently, devotees undertake a gruelling 21-km uphill trek, which can only be covered on foot, by ponies, or palanquins.

The ropeway will use Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) technology from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km) and the advanced Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib Ji (1.85 km).

With a capacity of 1,100 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), it will accommodate 11,000 passengers per day.

Hemkund Sahib Ji, perched at 15,000ft in the Chamoli district, is open for only five months a year (May–September) and attracts 1.5 to 2 lakh pilgrims annually. This ropeway will ensure year-round employment in tourism-related industries like hospitality, travel, and food & beverages (F&B) while fostering rapid socio-economic development in the region.

The 12.9-km ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath, sanctioned with an investment of ₹4,081 crore, is a game-changer for the challenging 16-km uphill trek from Gaurikund. Currently, the journey takes 8 to 9 hours on foot or by ponies, palanquins, and helicopters. Once operational, the ropeway will slash travel time to just 36 minutes.

Using Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology, the ropeway will have a capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), catering to 18,000 passengers daily. Kedarnath, one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas, is located at 11,968 ft (3,583 m) in the Rudraprayag district and is visited by 20 lakh pilgrims annually during the open season (April–November).

Like the Hemkund Sahib project, the Kedarnath ropeway will generate substantial employment in tourism, hospitality, and allied sectors, ensuring economic upliftment for local communities.

Both ropeways will be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, ensuring efficient execution while promoting eco-friendly, all-weather connectivity. These projects mark a transformational step in enhancing religious tourism and economic growth in Uttarakhand, aligning with the government’s vision for sustainable infrastructure development in hilly regions.

Kedarnath is one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas situated at an elevation of 3,583 metres (11968 feet) in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The temple is open for pilgrims for about 6 to 7 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.

Indian cabinet approves ropeway projects worth Rs68.11 billion for Hemkund Sahib and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand

They will provide safer, faster and environmentally friendly access to pilgrimage sites

New Delhi: In a major boost to religious tourism and last-mile connectivity, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of ropeway projects for Hemkund Sahib Ji and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand.

These projects, worth a combined ₹6,811 crore (₹68.11 billion), will provide safer, faster, and environmentally friendly access to the revered pilgrimage sites, significantly benefiting devotees and tourists.

The ropeway project will also generate substantial employment opportunities during construction and operations as well as in allied tourism industries like hospitality, travel, foods and beverages (F&B) and tourism throughout the year.

The development of the ropeway projects is a significant step towards fostering balanced socio-economic development, enhancing last-mile connectivity in hilly regions and fostering rapid economic growth.

The 12.4-km ropeway from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji, with a capital outlay of ₹2,730.13 crore, will revolutionize the challenging pilgrimage.

Currently, devotees undertake a gruelling 21-km uphill trek, which can only be covered on foot, by ponies, or palanquins.

The ropeway will use Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) technology from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km) and the advanced Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib Ji (1.85 km).

With a capacity of 1,100 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), it will accommodate 11,000 passengers per day.

Hemkund Sahib Ji, perched at 15,000ft in the Chamoli district, is open for only five months a year (May–September) and attracts 1.5 to 2 lakh pilgrims annually. This ropeway will ensure year-round employment in tourism-related industries like hospitality, travel, and food & beverages (F&B) while fostering rapid socio-economic development in the region.

The 12.9-km ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath, sanctioned with an investment of ₹4,081 crore, is a game-changer for the challenging 16-km uphill trek from Gaurikund. Currently, the journey takes 8 to 9 hours on foot or by ponies, palanquins, and helicopters. Once operational, the ropeway will slash travel time to just 36 minutes.

Using Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology, the ropeway will have a capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), catering to 18,000 passengers daily. Kedarnath, one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas, is located at 11,968 ft (3,583 m) in the Rudraprayag district and is visited by 20 lakh pilgrims annually during the open season (April–November).

Like the Hemkund Sahib project, the Kedarnath ropeway will generate substantial employment in tourism, hospitality, and allied sectors, ensuring economic upliftment for local communities.

Both ropeways will be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, ensuring efficient execution while promoting eco-friendly, all-weather connectivity. These projects mark a transformational step in enhancing religious tourism and economic growth in Uttarakhand, aligning with the government’s vision for sustainable infrastructure development in hilly regions.

Kedarnath is one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas situated at an elevation of 3,583 metres (11968 feet) in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The temple is open for pilgrims for about 6 to 7 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.