New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a 12.4 km ropeway connecting Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji in Uttarakhand. The ₹2,730.13 crore project will be developed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model under a public-private partnership (PPP).
Currently, the journey to Hemkund Sahib Ji, situated at 15,000 feet in Chamoli district, requires a challenging 21-km uphill trek from Govindghat, undertaken on foot, ponies, or palanquins. The proposed ropeway will significantly ease travel, ensuring all-weather last-mile connectivity for pilgrims visiting the revered Gurudwara, which remains open from May to September and attracts 1.5 to 2 lakh visitors annually. It will also provide seamless access for tourists visiting the Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Garhwal Himalayas.
The ropeway will use two advanced technologies—a Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) system from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km) and a Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) system from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib Ji (1.85 km). It will have a design capacity of 1,100 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), accommodating 11,000 passengers daily.
Beyond easing pilgrimage access, the project is expected to boost employment during construction and operations, benefiting hospitality, travel, food & beverage, and local tourism industries. It will also contribute to balanced socio-economic development, improving last-mile connectivity and accelerating regional economic growth.
By significantly reducing travel time and making the pilgrimage more accessible, the Govindghat-Hemkund Sahib ropeway is set to revolutionize religious tourism while strengthening Uttarakhand’s tourism and infrastructure landscape.
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