Centre Forms High-Level Panel To Oversee Ropeway Standards And Safety Amid Sector Expansion

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has constituted an empowered committee to establish a national framework for technical codes, certification processes, commissioning protocols, and safety audits for ropeways and related infrastructure, according to a New Indian Express report.

Named the Empowered Committee for Ropeways Technical Evaluation, Certification and Safety (EC-Rope-TECS), the panel is tasked with developing a structured, standardised approach to assess risks, ensure regulatory compliance, and mitigate failures.

Officials highlighted the urgency of this initiative, stating, "Considering the rapidly expanding ropeways sector as a means of transportation and mobility, there is a need to establish an institutional structure for the setting and coordination of technical standards, certifications, processes and audit among state and UT governments with primary focus on public safety."

The committee will be chaired by the Director General (Road Development and Special Secretary), and will include the Chief Engineer of MoRTH, representatives from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), and senior officials from states and Union Territories with experience in ropeway implementation.

Additionally, the panel will feature three Centre-nominated experts from premier institutions, four industry veterans, and the Commissioner of Ropeways Systems Safety.

This initiative aligns with the Centre’s broader push to promote ropeways as an efficient and eco-friendly mode of transport, particularly in hilly and remote terrains.

The National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala, announced in the 2022 Budget under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, aims to build over 250 ropeway projects covering 1,200 kilometres within five years.

Preparatory studies for project feasibility and impact assessments are already underway.

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