NEW DELHI, March 6 — The Union Cabinet has approved two major ropeway projects to improve access to the Kedarnath shrine and Hemkund Sahib gurdwara in Uttarakhand, significantly reducing travel time for pilgrims.
The projects include a 12.4-km ropeway from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib at an estimated cost of ₹2,730.13 crore, and a 12.9-km ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath with a budget of ₹4,081.28 crore.
Both will be developed under the design, build, finance, operate, and transfer (DBFOT) model as part of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ Parvatmala scheme, which aims to enhance connectivity in remote areas.
Currently, reaching Hemkund Sahib requires a 21-km uphill trek from Govindghat, a route covered on foot, by ponies, or in palanquins.
The ropeway will offer a more convenient travel option and significantly reduce journey time. Similarly, the Sonprayag-Kedarnath ropeway will cut travel time to 36 minutes from the current eight to nine hours.
Union officials stated that the projects would ease travel for pilgrims and improve accessibility. However, concerns remain about the environmental impact of increased infrastructure development in Uttarakhand.
A high-powered committee appointed by the Supreme Court has already flagged ecological risks linked to the ongoing Char Dham project, which aims to strengthen road connectivity to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.
Environmental experts have warned that rapid expansion of transport infrastructure could lead to an unsustainable influx of tourists, potentially causing severe ecological consequences.
“Whether it’s road expansion or ropeway projects, the long-term environmental impact must be carefully assessed,” said an expert monitoring the developments.
Despite the concerns, the government maintains that the ropeway projects will boost pilgrimage tourism while offering a safer and more efficient travel alternative in the challenging mountainous terrain.
