SHIMLA, July 9, 2013: The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to construct a ropeway between the inter-state bus terminus (ISBT) at Tutikandi and Lift below the Mall Road and from the Lift to near Rani Jhansi Park on the Ridge. These will be constructed on built, operate and transfer (BoT) basis with a view to decongest Shimla town, besides facilitating tourists and other commuters. The government also cleared Himani Chamunda ropeway project in Kangra district.

This was stated by chief minister Virbhadra Singh while presiding over a high-level meeting of HP Infrastructure Development Board (HPIBD) on Monday. Virbhadra said the initial cost of the 3-km-long ropeway project would be around Rs 250 crore, with boarding stations at Tutikandi and Lift and parking facility for 500 vehicles each.

He said carrying capacity of this ropeway would be around 1,500-2,000 persons per hour each way, with total travel time of about 10 minutes. He said both the terminals at Tutikandi and Lift would have a restaurant, waiting hall and other basic amenities. He said besides saving travel time, it would help in reducing pollution and would be a joyride for tourists and help in giving fillip to tourism in Shimla.

Virbhadra also gave his nod to construct Himani Chamunda ropeway project in Kangra district. He said that this ropeway would help pilgrims to visit the famous Himani Chamunda temple, which was not connected by road yet. He said this ropeway would be constructed with a cost of about Rs 200 crore and would be of six km length, with a carrying capacity of about 1,000-1,200 persons per hour each way. The ropeway's boarding terminal would be near Chamunda temple and there would be a mid-station. He said the one-side travel time would be about 20 minutes.

The CM said that waiting hall and parking facilities for about 500 vehicles besides other basic amenities would be provided at the Chamunda terminal, while restaurant, children's park and cottages with overnight accommodation would be provided in the mid-terminal whereas an open air restaurant would be constructed at the upper terminal with all basic amenities.

A presentation on 'Material Ropeway Project' from Kotgarh, Baghi, Kotkhai, Theog, Gumma, Yashwant Nagar, Sainj till Parwanoo was also given by the consultants M/s Usha Breco Limited, for undertaking feasibility study to transport agriculture and horticulture produce from district Shimla to Parwanoo as a pilot project.

Virbahdra said that before going in for this alternate ropeway transport systems, all important aspects like sufficient place for de-boarding of the produce, storing capacity, marketing yard and adequate parking facilities should be taken into consideration and be integrated with this project.
 

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 9, 2013.