The Maharashtra government has proposed 45 ropeway projects across the state, particularly in the Pune district, to enhance connectivity and tourism in religious and hilly areas. Of these, 16 will be developed by the state government while the remaining 29 will be developed by the central government’s National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML).
The main objective of this development is to boost tourism and lessen traffic congestion in Maharashtra. This approval is part of the central government’s broader initiative to enhance the state’s infrastructure.
Pune and Satara districts will see the highest number of such projects, with eight ropeways proposed in each district. The ropeways planned in Pune district will connect key tourist and religious sites such as Sinhagad Fort, Rajgad Fort, Shivneri Fort, Jejuri, Ashtavinayak Lenyadri, Darya Ghat, Bhimashankar Jyotirling, and Khandoba Nimgaon.
On February 3, 2024, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the central government’s NHLML and the Maharashtra government for aerial ropeway projects in the state.
For land acquisition, the government has proposed two options: if the land belongs to the Public Works Department (PWD), it will be leased to the NHLML for 30 years. If the land is private or government-owned, the PWD will acquire it before transferring it to NHLML. As per the second option, the state government can provide equity support for commercially viable projects. In such cases, the state will have a revenue-sharing stake in the project’s income.
A detailed proposal for each project will be submitted to the cabinet’s infrastructure committee before implementation. Once operational, these ropeways are expected to significantly increase tourist footfall, boost the local economy, and contribute to the overall development of the region.
The Sinhagad Fort ropeway project was first proposed in 2015, and initially entrusted to the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) for execution. The project aimed to improve connectivity to the historic fort, boost tourism, and reduce vehicular congestion on the existing ghat road. However, despite several discussions and feasibility studies, the project did not make significant progress under the PMRDA.
In a recent decision, the state government has now reassigned the project to the PWD for further development. The move is expected to accelerate the implementation process and bring clarity to administrative responsibilities. The ropeway is seen as a crucial initiative to enhance visitor experience while preserving the ecological balance of the region.
The project has also faced multiple delays over the years due to land acquisition issues, environmental clearances, and financial constraints.
(With inputs from multiple reports)
