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Adani's New Vision: Kedarnath Ropeway Promises Drastically Faster Pilgrimage Travel

Published 16 hours ago2 minute read
David Isong
David Isong
Adani's New Vision: Kedarnath Ropeway Promises Drastically Faster Pilgrimage Travel

Adani Enterprises Ltd. (AEL), the flagship firm of the Gautam Adani-led group, has secured a prestigious contract to construct a nearly 13-kilometer-long ropeway connecting Sonprayag with Kedarnath. This significant infrastructure project, approved by the Union Cabinet in March, is estimated to cost approximately ₹4,081 crore. It is designed to drastically reduce the arduous 8–9-hour trek for pilgrims to a mere 36 minutes, making the sacred journey considerably more efficient and safe.

The Letter of Award (LoA) for building this project was received by AEL from National Highways & Logistics Management Ltd. (NHLML). Sonprayag represents the final point accessible by road for pilgrims heading towards the revered Kedarnath Temple. The new ropeway will provide a crucial link, easing travel that currently involves a challenging 16-km uphill trek or reliance on ponies, palanquins, and helicopters. AEL's Roads, Metro, Rail, and Water (RMRW) division will be responsible for executing this 12.9-kilometre ropeway project.

Once operational, the ropeway will significantly enhance accessibility for the 20 lakh pilgrims who visit the Kedarnath temple each year. It is projected to carry 1,800 passengers per hour per direction, serving lakhs of devotees annually. The project is an integral part of the National Ropeways Development Programme - Parvatmala Pariyojana and is expected to take around six years to complete. Following its construction, AEL will operate the ropeway for 29 years.

The ropeway is planned to incorporate advanced Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology, ensuring high capacity and efficiency, capable of transporting 1,800 passengers per hour in each direction, with an impressive overall daily capacity of 18,000 passengers. Beyond improving connectivity, the project is anticipated to create numerous job opportunities and significantly boost tourism in the region.

Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, described the Kedarnath ropeway as

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