Sabarimala Ropeway and 18 Other Projects: Everything You Need to Know
Installation Ceremony of Sabarimala Ropeway Project Set
for Next Month
India’s Ropeway Revolution: Enhancing Religious and
Tourist Connectivity
Modi Government's Vision for Infrastructure Development
The Narendra Modi-led government is advancing a strategic
initiative to enhance connectivity to 18 major religious and tourist
destinations across India through modern ropeway systems. As part of this
ambitious plan, consultants have been commissioned to prepare Detailed Project
Reports (DPRs) for these developments.
Sabarimala Ropeway Project: Transforming Pilgrimage
Access
Project Overview and Timeline
The Sabarimala ropeway, designed to link Pampa with
Sabarimala Sannidhanam, is progressing at a rapid pace. The installation
ceremony is scheduled within the next month, with full project completion
expected within 18 months.
Regulatory Approvals and Environmental Compliance
TDB President P. S. Prasanth has confirmed that the project
is in the final approval stages with the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and
Climate Change. All necessary documents have been submitted via the PARIVESH
portal, followed by a joint verification process. The next step involves
securing technical clearances from the Environment Ministry, paving the way for
the installation ceremony.
Infrastructure and Construction Details
- Stations:
Two stations will be constructed—one at Pampa Hilltop and the other near
the Police Barracks at Sannidhanam.
- Towers:
Five prefabricated steel towers, ranging from 40 to 60 meters in height,
will support the ropeway structure.
- Completion:
While tower installation is swift, station construction will take
additional time.
Investment and Budget
The total estimated cost for the Sabarimala ropeway project
is approximately ₹250 crore. Major construction is expected to be completed
before the next pilgrimage season.
Emergency and Utility Services
Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan has highlighted that the
ropeway cars will also be equipped for emergency medical transport, adding a
crucial safety component to the project.
Environmental Considerations
- Land
Use: The project requires clearing approximately 4.53 hectares of
forest land, including:
- 2.5
acres for the lower terminal at Pampa Hilltop.
- 1.5
acres for the upper terminal near Sannidhanam.
- Deforestation:
80 trees will be felled to facilitate construction.
- Protected
Areas: The ropeway route crosses into the Periyar Tiger Reserve from
the opposite bank of the Pampa River.
Joint Inspection and Approvals
A joint inspection was conducted by representatives from the
Forest Department, Devaswom Board, and Damodar Ropeway Infrastructure Limited
to secure environmental approvals. Key officials involved included:
- Jayakumar
Sharma (Ranni DFO)
- Jias
Jamaludin (ACF)
- A.S.
Ashok (Goodrikal Range Officer)
- Sandeep
Nair (Deputy Director, Periyar Tiger Sanctuary)
- Shyama
Prasad (Devaswom Executive Engineer)
- Gopakumar
(Assistant Engineer)
The findings from this inspection will be presented to the
Wildlife Board for further review and approval.
India’s Key Ropeway Projects Underway
Religious Ropeways: Bridging Devotion and Accessibility
- Amarnath Shrine, Jammu & Kashmir: A proposed 11.6-km ropeway from Baltal will provide an alternative to trekking and helicopter services during the annual Amarnath Yatra.
- Parvathamalai Temple, Tamil Nadu: A 3.21-km ropeway will enhance access to this sacred site, linked to the mythical Sanjeevani mountain.
- Other
Religious Sites:
- Shivneri
Fort, Maharashtra (1.41 km)
- Mullayyana
Giri, Karnataka (2.38 km)
- Chamunda
Devi Temple, Himachal Pradesh
- Kunjapuri
Temple, Uttarakhand
- Jwala
Narsimha Swamy Temple & Sri Boyakonda Gangamma Temple, Andhra Pradesh
- Salkanpur
Wali Mata Mandir, Madhya Pradesh
- Bhuban
Pah Mahadev Temple, Assam
Tourist Ropeways: Elevating Visitor Experience
- Thajiwas
Glacier, Sonamarg, J&K: A 1.6-km ropeway to facilitate access
during peak seasons.
- Amer
Fort to Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan: A 6.45-km connection
between two historic forts.
- Mussoorie
to Kempty Falls, Uttarakhand: A 3.21-km ropeway to improve tourism
flow.
Government Execution and Long-Term Vision
The National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML),
under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, is spearheading these
ropeway projects as part of the ‘Parvatmala Pariyojana.’ This initiative
already includes developments at:
- Kedarnath
- Mata
Vaishno Devi
- Shankaracharya
Temple
Advantages of the Ropeway Initiative
- Enhanced
Accessibility: Reduced travel time for pilgrims and tourists.
- Cost-Effective
Travel: Affordable transport alternatives compared to traditional
methods.
- Boost
to Religious & Cultural Tourism: Strengthening India's spiritual
and heritage tourism sector.
With strategic planning and technological advancements,
these ropeway projects will significantly improve access to key religious and
tourist destinations, fulfilling the government’s commitment to infrastructure
development and spiritual tourism enhancement.
