In a move to improve connectivity and promote tourism, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the construction of a 12.4 km ropeway project linking Govindghat to the revered Hemkund Sahib Ji in Uttarakhand, states an official release by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. The project, which will be developed under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model, has an estimated capital cost of INR 2,730.13 crore.
Addressing the Winter Tourism Program at Harsil, Uttarakhand, PM Modi said, "Our double engine government is working together to make Uttarakhand a developed state. Chardham-All Weather Road, modern expressway, expansion of railway, aircraft and helicopter services in the state, Uttarakhand has developed rapidly in the last 10 years. [On March 5] the central government has taken very big decisions for Uttarakhand. [On March 5], the Union Cabinet approved the Kedarnath Ropeway Project and the Hemkund Ropeway Project. After the construction of Kedarnath ropeway, the journey which takes eight to nine hours will now be completed in about 30 minutes. This will make the Kedarnath journey easier for the elderly, children and women. Thousands of crores of rupees will be spent on these ropeway projects. I congratulate the entire country including Uttarakhand for these projects."
Currently, reaching Hemkund Sahib Ji requires a strenuous 21 km uphill trek from Govindghat, which can only be completed on foot, by pony, or on a palanquin. The new ropeway aims to provide convenience for pilgrims and tourists visiting the site, as well as the renowned Valley of Flowers. It aims to ensure reliable, all-weather connectivity between Govindghat and Hemkund Sahib Ji, making the pilgrimage more accessible to a wider range of visitors.
The ropeway will be developed as a public-private partnership, with two types of gondola technology being employed. The first section, from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km), will use Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) technology, while the second, from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib Ji (1.85 km), will feature the more advanced Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) system. The ropeway will have a design capacity of 1,100 passengers per hour in each direction, with an expected daily capacity of 11,000 passengers.
The project is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, both during construction and in its ongoing operation. It will also boost industries related to tourism, such as hospitality, food and beverage services, and travel, benefiting the region throughout the year.
This development is seen as a crucial step towards promoting balanced socio-economic growth in the region, while improving access for pilgrims and enhancing the local economy.
Hemkund Sahib Ji, located at an altitude of 15,000 ft in Chamoli district, is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India. The Gurudwara at Hemkund Sahib Ji is open for five months each year, from May to September, and attracts between 1,50,000 and 2,00,000 pilgrims annually. The trek to the site also serves as a gateway to the UNESCO-listed Valley of Flowers National Park, which lies in the pristine Garhwal Himalayas.
