Tamil Nadu Eyes Ropeway Transport To Boost Tourism In Mahabalipuram, Ooty, Kodaikanal

In a bid to enhance tourist mobility and reduce traffic congestion in heritage and hill station hotspots, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has kickstarted feasibility studies for introducing ropeway-based transport systems in Tamil Nadu’s major tourist destinations, including Mahabalipuram, Ooty, and Kodaikanal, reported IANS.

This initiative follows a state budget announcement earlier this year aimed at modernising tourism infrastructure while offering sustainable alternatives to road-based transport, especially in environmentally sensitive and high-footfall zones.

At the forefront of the plan is Mahabalipuram, where CMRL is evaluating a 2 km ropeway that would link the upcoming bus terminal with the famed Shore Temple.

The project, if realised, could provide visitors a scenic aerial ride across the coastal town, reducing congestion near the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Simultaneously, the state is exploring similar systems in the overcrowded hill stations of Ooty and Kodaikanal, both of which see frequent bottlenecks during tourist seasons due to narrow roads and limited public transport options.

To move forward, CMRL has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting consultancy firms to conduct detailed feasibility assessments, covering technical viability, route alignment, cost analysis, and environmental concerns.

Urban ropeway corridors are also being examined within Chennai itself. Proposed segments include a 1.7 km line from Taramani MRTS station to Kandanchavadi Metro and a 1 km extension along East Coast Road to Palavakkam.

While promising, officials noted that these urban projects are still in the early conceptual stages and timelines remain fluid.

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