Ropeways To Shri Kedarnath Dham, Hemkund Sahib: Uttarakhand Govt Inks Deal For Around Rs 7,000 Crore Mega Projects

The Uttarakhand government has signed an agreement with the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) to construct two ropeways worth Rs 7,000 crore linking Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib.

The MoU, inked in Dehradun on Tuesday (2 September), grants NHLML a 51 per cent equity share, with the state government holding the remaining 49 per cent, Times of India reported.

The projects will be developed under the Centre’s Parvatmala initiative, launched in 2022 to expand ropeway infrastructure in remote and mountainous regions.

As per the arrangement, 90 per cent of revenue generated will be reinvested in tourism, transport, and mobility initiatives across Uttarakhand.

The 12.9 km ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath is estimated to cost Rs 4,100 crore, while the 12.4 km Govindghat–Hemkund Sahib ropeway will be built at an outlay of Rs 2,700 crore.

Construction is projected to take six years, with operations expected by 2031–32.

Shri Kedarnath Dham, situated at an altitude of 3,583 metres in Rudraprayag district, attracts lakhs of pilgrims each year, while Hemkund Sahib, situated at 4,632 metres in Chamoli district, remains one of Sikhism’s most sacred shrines.

Harsh terrain, extreme altitude, and unpredictable weather have long hindered safe and easy access to both sites.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the ropeways would reinforce Uttarakhand’s religious and cultural identity while creating opportunities in tourism, employment, environmental protection and infrastructure.

He highlighted ongoing state projects such as the Char Dham all-weather road and the Delhi–Dehradun Economic corridor as part of a broader connectivity drive.

Tourism secretary Dhiraj Singh Garbyal said the ropeways will cut travel time drastically and improve safety.

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