Darshan Kunwar
THE two ropeway projects in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district from Sonprayag to Kedarnath and Govindghat to Hemkund Saheb will give a major boost to religious and spiritual tourism in the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made announcement to this effect during his visit to Mukhba, the winter abode of river Ganga in Uttarkashi district, on March 5. Teams from Central and Uttarakhand Governments have begun the process of preliminary work.
These two Centrally-sponsored projects, to be constructed under the Parwatmala Pariyojana, National Ropeway Development Programme, is likely to cost over Rs over 6.800 crores.
Giving details of the 12.9 km Sonprayag to Kedarnath project, Uttarakhand Tourism Secretary Sachin Kurvey said once the project is completed, it will take nearly 36 minutes instead of the tiresome and tedious journey which usually takes eight to nine hours. Each ropeway will have the capacity to carry as many as 36 pilgrims to Kedarnath to offer prayers at famous holy shrine.
Similarly, the Rs2,730- crore Govindghat to Hemkund Saheb ropeway project (12.4 km) will significantly ease the journey, providing all-weather last-mile connectivity for devotees and tourists visiting Hemkund Sahib and the nearby Valley of Flowers.
A sizable number of tourists have expressed their happiness over the upcoming projects, saying it will be a great relief in view of the extremely difficult trekking from Sonprayag to Badrinath and between Govindghat to Hemkund Saheb.