National Ropeways Development Programme

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has recently approved the construction of a 12.4 km ropeway project from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji in Uttarakhand.

• The project is sanctioned under the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana to provide all-weather last-mile connectivity for pilgrims and tourists.
• About National Ropeways Development Programme: The ropeway will be developed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) mode.

o Current route: 21-km uphill trek from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji, presently covered on foot, ponies, or palanquins.

o The new ropeway will ease travel for pilgrims visiting Hemkund Sahib Ji and tourists visiting the Valley of Flowers (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

• About Hemkund Sahib Ji: A highly revered Sikh pilgrimage site at 15,000 ft elevation.

o The Gurudwara opens for 5 months (May–September) and receives 1.5 to 2 lakh pilgrims annually.

o The trek route also serves as the gateway to the Valley of Flowers in the Garhwal Himalayas.