Dehradun : The Uttarakhand tourism department has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) worth Rs 166.8 crore with two private firms for the construction of a 3.38km long ropeway project in Yamunotri. The project, which was inaugurated in the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, is expected to benefit thousands of pilgrims who visit the holy site every year.
The ropeway project will be a mono-cable detachable type, with a capacity of carrying 500 people per hour. The lower terminal of the ropeway will be located on a 1.7-hectare land in Kharsali, while the upper terminal will be situated in Yamunotri on 0.9-hectare land. Pilgrims will be able to cover the five-kilometer distance, which is presently covered by trekking, in just 20 minutes. The passenger capacity of a single coach of the ropeway will be eight passengers.
The project is being executed by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board on a public-private-partnership mode, and as a part of the entire Yamunotri ropeway project, the construction of parking, residential arrangements, and a restaurant has also been proposed.
The Yamunotri ropeway project is expected to benefit pilgrims and tourists visiting the holy site, as they will no longer have to trek for 5.5km to cover the distance. The ropeway project is also expected to open up new opportunities for religious tourism in Uttarakhand.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "With the completion of the project, Yamunotri will be directly connected to Kharsali, which is a prominent winter destination. Devotees and tourists will get added benefits from the ropeway project, as they will no longer have to trek for 5.5km to cover the distance."
State tourism minister Satpal Maharaj added, "Besides the pilgrimage to Yamunotri, the ropeway will open another new chapter in the immense possibilities of religious tourism in Uttarakhand. Through this ropeway project, tourists will also be able to enjoy the immersive experience of seeing the unique natural beauty of the state from close quarters."
The Yamunotri ropeway project is expected to provide a major boost to tourism in the state of Uttarakhand. It is also expected to create employment opportunities for local people and contribute to the overall economic development of the region.