New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a 12.9 km ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. The ₹4,081.28 crore project will be developed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model under a public-private partnership (PPP).
The ropeway will dramatically reduce travel time for pilgrims, cutting the current 8 to 9-hour trek to just 36 minutes. Using the advanced Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology, the system will have a design capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), accommodating 18,000 passengers per day.
Kedarnath, one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas, is situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,968 feet) in Rudraprayag district and is open to devotees from April-May to October-November. Currently, pilgrims reach the temple via a challenging 16-km uphill trek from Gaurikund, using ponies, palanquins, or helicopters. The new ropeway will ensure year-round connectivity, making the pilgrimage safer and more accessible.
The project is expected to create significant employment opportunities during both construction and operation, benefiting hospitality, travel, food & beverage, and tourism sectors. It will also contribute to balanced socio-economic development in the region and improve last-mile connectivity in the Himalayan terrain.
With over 20 lakh pilgrims visiting Kedarnath annually, the ropeway is set to revolutionize religious tourism, providing a comfortable, eco-friendly, and efficient travel experience while boosting the local economy.
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