Union Cabinet Approves Ropeway Projects for Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved two major ropeway projects aimed at improving connectivity to the Kedarnath shrine and Hemkund Sahib gurdwara in Uttarakhand, significantly reducing travel time for pilgrims.
The decision comes amid concerns raised by a Supreme Court-appointed high-powered committee regarding the ecological impact of ongoing infrastructure projects in the state, including the Char Dham project.
Ropeway to Hemkund Sahib
The Cabinet has cleared the construction of a 12.4-km ropeway from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib, to be developed under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model at a capital cost of ₹2,730.13 crore. Currently, reaching Hemkund Sahib requires a strenuous 21-km uphill trek, covered on foot, by ponies, or in palanquins. The ropeway is expected to drastically cut travel time and improve convenience for pilgrims.
Ropeway to Kedarnath
Another key approval was granted for a 12.9-km ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath, with an allocated budget of ₹4,081.28 crore. Once operational, this ropeway will reduce the journey time to just 36 minutes, compared to the current 8-9 hours required to complete the trek.
Both projects are part of the Parvatmala scheme, initiated by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which aims to enhance connectivity to remote locations through ropeway infrastructure.
Environmental Concerns and Government Assurance
Environmental experts have raised alarms over the potential ecological impact of increased tourism due to such infrastructure projects. The ongoing Char Dham project, which aims to improve road connectivity to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, has already faced scrutiny for its environmental implications.
However, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed these concerns, stating that extensive technical and geological surveys were conducted before approving the Kedarnath ropeway project. He also highlighted that the Cabinet had factored in issues related to the rehabilitation of local mule operators and ancillary industries dependent on the existing pilgrimage routes.
Project Delays and Cost Escalation
The foundation stones for these ropeway projects were originally laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2022. Since then, the estimated cost has escalated nearly fivefold, reflecting the complexities of the projects.
Despite the concerns, the government maintains that these ropeways will enhance pilgrim safety, reduce travel hardships, and support economic growth in the region while ensuring sustainable development.
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