New Delhi
Uttarakhand has received a big gift in the meeting of the Union Cabinet today i.e. on Wednesday (5 March 2025). The Modi government of the Center has approved the Rope Way project for Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand. There will be a 12.9 km ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath, which will cost Rs 4081 crore. The National Highway Logistic Management will create it. With this, the journey of 8 to 9 hours will be completed only 36 minutes.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the construction of 12.9 km ropeway project from Sonprayag to Kedarnath (12.9 km). The project will be developed at a total capital cost of Rs 4,081.28 crore on design, construction, finance, operation and transfer (DBFOT) mode.
This will be based on the most advanced TRAI-Cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology. Its design capacity will be 1,800 passengers per hour (PPHPD), which will take 18,000 passengers per day. The ropeway project will be a boon for pilgrims coming to Kedarnath as it will provide environment-friendly, comfortable and fast connectivity and will reduce travel time in one direction from about 8 to 9 hours to about 36 minutes.
The journey will be only 36 minutes
This will be based on the most advanced TRAI-Cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology. Its design capacity will be 1,800 passengers per hour (PPHPD), which will take 18,000 passengers per day. The ropeway project will be a boon for pilgrims coming to Kedarnath as it will provide environment-friendly, comfortable and fast connectivity and will reduce travel time in one direction from about 8 to 9 hours to about 36 minutes.
The journey up to Kedarnath Temple is a challenging climb of 16 km from Gaurikund and is currently decided by foot or pony, palanquin and helicopter. The proposed ropeway’s plan has been made to provide convenience to the pilgrims coming to the temple and to ensure connectivity between Sonprayag and Kedarnath in every season.
12.4 km ropeway project approval from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji
In the cabinet meeting, the construction of 12.4 km ropeway project from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib has also been approved. The total cost of this project will be Rs 2,730.13 crore. Currently, Hemkund Sahib Ji’s journey is a challenging climb of 21 km from Govindghat. This ropeway project will ensure connectivity between Govindghat and Hemkund Sahib Ji in every season.
Its design will be prepared in such a way that its capacity will be 1,100 passengers (PPHPD) per hour and it will take 11,000 passengers per day. Hemkund Sahib Ji is a pilgrimage site located at an altitude of 15,000 feet in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state. The gurudwara installed at this holy site is open for about 5 months in a year between May to September and about 1.5 to 2 lakh pilgrims come here every year.
Big decision for prevention of animal health and diseases
The central government has today approved a scheme of Rs 3,880 crore for the prevention of animal health and diseases. This is the third major decision of the cabinet, which will prove to be very beneficial for cattle rearers and farmers.
There are two major diseases occurring in animals, Khurpaka-Mumbaka Disease (FMD) and Brusselosis. A special program will be started to ensure complete vaccination of all animals. With the help of mobile Veterinary Units, farmers will get animal health services from house to house. The ‘Bharat Livestock Portal’ will be launched for real-time monitoring, so that vaccination and other services can be monitored.
PM- Farmers will reach farmers through prosperity center and cooperative societies. Ethno-Veterinary Medicines will also be encouraged to promote traditional knowledge. According to the government, positive results of the vaccination program are beginning to show. Around 9 states are on the verge of FMD-free, which will protect farmers from heavy economic losses.
The journey up to Kedarnath Temple is a challenging climb of 16 km from Gaurikund and is currently decided by foot or pony, palanquin and helicopter. The proposed ropeway’s plan has been made to provide convenience to the pilgrims coming to the temple and to ensure connectivity between Sonprayag and Kedarnath in every season.
This step of the Central Government will give a boost to the Chardham Yatra, which will benefit the local businesses and strengthen the economic growth of the region. This will keep the movement of pilgrims for the whole six months, which will reduce excessive pressure on resources in the first two months. Not only this, employment opportunities will also increase in the journey season.
The Kedarnath Ropeway Project will be operated under the Uttarakhand Ropeway Act, 2014, which provides a legal structure of licensing, operation, security and fare determination. At the same time, the second project is to become a ropeway project in Hemkund Sahib, for which 2730 crore rupees will be spent. This project can travel to Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flower.
