Project Update: Varanasi to Lead India’s Ropeway Surge by 2026

The Government of India provided an update on the Parvatmala National Ropeways Development Programme during a session of the Rajya Sabha on March 11.

Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways, informed the House that several ropeway projects across India are currently at various stages of implementation, bidding, and award.

Among the projects under implementation, the Varanasi Ropeway in Uttar Pradesh, spanning 3.85 km and costing ₹815.58 crore, is expected to be completed by June 2026. The Sangam Prayagraj Ropeway, a 2.2 km project estimated at ₹230 crore, is scheduled for completion by April 2027.

Other ropeway projects currently under development include the Bijli Mahadev Temple ropeway in Himachal Pradesh, the Mahakaleshwar Temple ropeway in Madhya Pradesh, and the Tikitoriya Mata Temple ropeway project, with expected completion timelines extending into 2027.

Major ropeway projects such as the Kedarnath Temple ropeway and the Hemkund Sahib ropeway in Uttarakhand, valued at ₹4,081.28 crore and ₹2,730.13 crore respectively, have already been awarded and are targeted for completion by May 2032.

Meanwhile, several additional projects—including ropeways connecting the Shankaracharya Temple and Ramtek Gad Temple—are currently in the bidding stage.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.