News Brief
From Amarnath To Sabarimala: Centre To Develop 18 Major Ropeway Projects For Easier Pilgrimage, Tourism
The ropeway projects in India have been envisioned to potentially link several pilgrimage sites and also cover congested urban areas. (Wikimedia Commons).
Pilgrims and tourists across India may soon have a smoother journey to some of the nation’s most revered religious and scenic destinations, as the central government embarks on an ambitious plan to develop 18 major ropeway projects.
Among the most significant proposals is an 11.6-km ropeway from Baltal to the Amarnath shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, a project that could transform the arduous pilgrimage by providing a safer, cheaper, and more accessible alternative to the current trekking and helicopter routes, reported News18.
The shrine, nestled in the Himalayas, attracts lakhs of devotees annually during the Amarnath Yatra, but the journey is physically demanding.
Another major ropeway is proposed for the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, where pilgrims currently face a challenging climb from Pamba to the temple. The 2.62-km ropeway is expected to ease the journey for thousands of devotees.
Meanwhile, a 3.21-km ropeway to the Parvathamalai Temple in Tamil Nadu is also in the pipeline.
The site holds deep spiritual significance, as it is believed to be a fragment of the Sanjeevani mountain from the Ramayana.
Beyond religious sites, the initiative also extends to popular tourist destinations.
A 1.6-km ropeway to the Thajiwas Glacier from Sonamarg is among the proposed projects, promising to boost tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
In Rajasthan, a 6.45-km ropeway is set to connect the iconic Amer Fort and Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur, creating an aerial route between two of the state’s grandest historical monuments.
In Maharashtra, a 1.41-km ropeway to Shivneri Fort—the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj—is expected to improve accessibility.
Meanwhile, Karnataka’s highest peak, Mullayyana Giri, will be linked by a 2.38-km ropeway, opening up new possibilities for tourism.
Several significant Hindu temples are also set to benefit from the project.
Ropeways have been proposed for Chamunda Devi Temple (Himachal Pradesh), Kunjapuri Temple (Uttarakhand), Jwala Narsimha Swamy Temple (Andhra Pradesh), Sri Boyakonda Gangamma Temple (Andhra Pradesh), Salkanpur Wali Mata Mandir (Madhya Pradesh), and Bhuban Pah Mahadev Temple (Assam).
The project falls under the ‘Parvatmala Pariyojana’, spearheaded by the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a statutory authority under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Work is already in progress for Kedarnath (Uttarakhand), Mata Vaishno Devi (J&K), and Shankaracharya Temple (Srinagar) under this scheme.
With the government now inviting consultants to prepare detailed project reports (DPRs), these ropeways are set to enhance travel experience for pilgrims and tourists alike, offering a seamless blend of convenience, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
