The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a 12.4 km ropeway project from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji under the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana. The project will be developed under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) mode, with a total investment of Rs 2,730.13 crore.
A Major Boost for Pilgrims and Tourists
The current journey to Hemkund Sahib Ji, a revered Sikh pilgrimage site at 15,000 feet in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, involves a challenging 21-km trek from Govindghat, covered on foot, ponies, or palanquins. The new ropeway will significantly ease travel, providing year-round, last-mile connectivity for pilgrims and visitors to the Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Garhwal Himalayas.
State-of-the-Art Ropeway Technology
The ropeway will be built in two phases:
- Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) system from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km).
- Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) system from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib Ji (1.85 km).
It will have a design capacity of 1,100 passengers per hour per direction, enabling 11,000 passengers per day to access the sacred site with ease.
Economic and Employment Benefits
Apart from improving connectivity, the ropeway is expected to boost local employment in sectors such as hospitality, tourism, food & beverages (F&B), and transportation, promoting socio-economic development in the region.
Significance of Hemkund Sahib Ji
Hemkund Sahib Ji, a Sikh pilgrimage site, is open for about five months (May-September) and attracts 1.5 to 2 lakh pilgrims annually. The trek also serves as an entry point to the Valley of Flowers, a renowned biodiversity hotspot.
The approval of this ropeway project marks a significant step in improving accessibility, promoting sustainable tourism, and enhancing regional economic growth.
