Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Mukesh Agnihotri has said that the construction of the world’s second-largest ropeway project coming up in the state, will commence on March 1, 2025.

As per a statement, all the documents for forest clearance under the Forest Clearance Act (FCA) have been uploaded to the portal. It added that the route lines have been named Monal Line, Deodar Line and Apple Line and will have 15 stations, it added.

The New Development Bank’s fact-finding mission conducted an inspection from June 2 to June 10, giving its consent on July 12, according to Agnihotri, who also holds the transport and highways portfolio.

Formal approval is expected at the bank’s Board of Directors meeting, likely to be held in December 2024, he added.

Shimla ropeway: Fare, project cost

Talking about the fare, Agnihotri said that the fare for the ropeway route will vary for locals and tourists and will be fixed by the state government.

The Shimla Ropeway will span 60 kilometres, with the government covering 20 per cent of the project’s Rs 1,734.40 crore cost. Initially, the ropeway will have the capacity to transport 2,000 people per hour, increasing to 6,000 for two-way travel by 2059.

Out of the 25,000 ropeways worldwide, India houses only 20. In this, Himachal Pradesh leads with the Baglamukhi Temple ropeway already constructed and the Baba Balaknath Temple ropeway approved by the cabinet, Agnihotri said. Thirteen boarding stations have been designated along the route: Taradevi, Judicial Complex, Chakkar, Tutikandi, New ISBT, Railway Station, Old ISBT, Lift, Chhota Shimla, Navbahar, Sanjauli, IGMC, Lakkar Bazaar, and 103 Tunnel, according to the statement.

The project is anticipated to create direct employment for 250 people and indirect employment for over 20,000.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sunder Singh Thakur mentioned that the ropeways would alleviate congestion in the town, and the Bijili Mahadev Ropeway in Kullu would be a significant milestone.

Principal Secretary (Transport) R.D. Nazim stated that the Shimla Ropeway Project would be financed with an 80 percent loan from the New Development Bank, with the remaining 20 percent provided by the state government.

(With PTI inputs)