Srinagar, May 02: The Jammu and Kashmir government has identified 18 ropeway projects and work on two ropeway projects is expected to be started shortly.
As per the Economic Survey Report the Government of India has introduced National Ropeways Development Programme for improving connectivity and convenience for commuters besides promoting tourism in hilly states.
“J&K has entered into an MoU with National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML) for development of Ropeway projects in J&K. 18 ropeway projects have been shortlisted and submitted to Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of which 02 are expected to be sanctioned during 2022-23,” it said.
NHLML Spokesman said that they have received more than 260 projects from different States for development of Ropeway. “In Reasi, we are developing a 2.210 Kilometers ropeway from Ransoo Bus Stand – Shiv Khori Cave at the estimated cost of 169 Crores,” he said.
While the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for 1 kilometer long ropeway is under process for Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar, the spokesman said.
He said the other ropeway projects in Jammu and Kashmir include Baltal – Amarnath Cave (9KM), Nasri Tunnel to Sanasar Ropeway (3KM), Bhaderwah to Seojhdar (7KM), etc.
“Out of 260 projects, our target is to award 20 ropeway projects during the 2023-2024 financial year,” the spokesman said.
He said NHLML has been assigned to undertake works related to development of Ropeways and other innovative and alternative mobility solutions.
The spokesman said ropeways are an attractive mode of transport in the travel and tourism industry. It has emerged as a convenient, robust and safe transport mode over the last century and is ideal for last mile or inter-modal connectivity especially in hilly terrain, he said.
In April 2022, Government inked a MoU with NHLML for the development of ropeway networks, as alternate solution of mobility, to improve connectivity to remote habitations on higher reaches.
Terming this much-awaited project as a potential solution to the existing mobility problem besides promoting tourism, the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said that in the long run, this sustainable and environment friendly transport system, will play a significant role in decongesting the urban spaces.
He said that as a future mobility medium, the proposed ropeway project will bring economic prosperity to inaccessible hilly areas.
“It is a significant step in the direction of developing a comprehensive ropeway network to benefit all sections of the population living in remote and difficult geographical conditions of Jammu and Kashmir”, LG Sinha added.
