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2mo ago

India Approves Ropeway Projects for Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib to Slash Pilgrimage Travel Times

The ₹6,811 crore initiative aims to provide eco-friendly, faster, and year-round connectivity to two major Uttarakhand religious sites.

Security personnel stand guard outside the Kedarnath Temple as it remains closed during the Winter season, in Rudraprayag on Saturday.
The route will have three stops at Sonprayag, Gaurikund and Kedarnath. (Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee)
Image
The Jakhoo ropeway in Shimla. (Representative image)

Overview

  • The Union Cabinet approved two ropeway projects in Uttarakhand under the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana.
  • The Kedarnath ropeway will span 12.9 km from Sonprayag to Kedarnath, cutting travel time from 8–9 hours to just 36 minutes.
  • The Hemkund Sahib ropeway will cover 12.4 km from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib, reducing a 21-km uphill trek to a quick gondola ride.
  • The projects, costing ₹4,081.28 crore for Kedarnath and ₹2,730.13 crore for Hemkund Sahib, will operate on a public-private partnership model with advanced gondola technologies.
  • These ropeways are expected to boost accessibility for elderly and disabled pilgrims, promote tourism, and create employment opportunities in the region.