In news– The government is planning to develop more than 250 projects with a ropeway length of over 1,200 km in five years under Parvatmala Pariyojana.
About Parvatmala Pariyojana-
- Union Finance Minister, while presenting Union Budget for 2022-23, announced the National Ropeways Development Programme – “Parvatmala” – which will be taken up on PPP mode.
- It will be a preferred, ecologically sustainable alternative in place of conventional roads in difficult hilly areas.
- The idea is to improve connectivity and convenience for commuters, besides promoting tourism.
- This may also cover congested urban areas, where conventional mass transit system is not feasible
- The scheme is being started in regions like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir and the other North Eastern states.
Note:
In February 2021, the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961 was amended, enabling the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to also look after the development of Ropeways and Alternate Mobility Solutions.
Ropeways in India-
Girnar Ropeway, Gujarat:
- Prime Minister inaugurated the ropeway at Girnar, Gujarat on 24 October, 2020. A distance of 2.3 kms is covered in just 7.5 minutes through the ropeway.
- Earlier, the only option to visit Girnar Mountain was by climbing 9,000 stairs. Now, the ropeway has given another facility to devotees.
Guwahati Passenger Ropeway, Assam:
- Guwahati Passenger Ropeway connecting Guwahati & North Guwahati across River Brahmaputra was completed and inaugurated for public on 24 August, 2020.
- At about 2-km long and lying across the Brahmaputra, this is considered to be India’s longest ‘ropeway over a river‘.
- Built at a cost of Rs 56.00 crores, the ropeway comprises two cabins, each with capacity of 30 passengers and one operator.
- It is one of the most advanced and longest river crossing Aerial Tramway systems in India.
Source: The Economic Times
