New Delhi: Several ropeway projects approved under the Government of India’s Parvatmala – National Ropeways Development Programme are expected to be completed by 2027, according to information provided in the Rajya Sabha by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari on March 11, 2026.

Replying to a question, the Minister said that 11 ropeway projects across multiple states have been approved, with many currently under implementation and some at the bidding or awarded stage.

Among the projects under implementation, the Varanasi ropeway project in Uttar Pradesh (3.85 km) is expected to be completed by June 2026, while the Sangam ropeway in Prayagraj (2.2 km) is likely to be completed by April 2027. In Haryana, the Dhosi Hill ropeway (0.88 km) is targeted for completion by March 2027, and the Tikitoriya Mata Temple ropeway in Madhya Pradesh is scheduled for July 2027.

The projects are being implemented through different models, including the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT), and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC). Major projects such as the Kedarnath ropeway (12.9 km) and Hemkund Sahib ropeway (12.4 km) in Uttarakhand have already been awarded under the DBFOT model, with longer completion timelines extending to 2032.

The government stated that while some projects are already in the construction stage, others remain in the bidding process. Certain proposals, such as the Bijli Mahadev ropeway in Himachal Pradesh and the Mahakaleshwar Temple ropeway in Ujjain, are currently being reconsidered due to local opposition.

The Ministry emphasized that environmental and social considerations are incorporated during the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). Environmental and Social Impact Assessments are conducted to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

To ensure safety during construction and operation, independent engineers and safety consultants are engaged to oversee design and implementation. Additionally, the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety has been designated as the Commissioner of Ropeway Systems Safety (CRSS) to ensure statutory compliance and safe commissioning of ropeway systems.

The Parvatmala programme, announced in the Union Budget, aims to promote ropeway-based transport infrastructure in hilly and pilgrimage destinations, improving connectivity while reducing travel time and congestion. DeshBharat