A ropeway is a naval lifting device used to transport light stores and equipment across rivers or ravines. It comprises a jackstay, slung between two sheers or gyns, one at either end, from which is suspended a block and tackle. Ropeways are tensile structures – structures loaded primarily in tension – which makes them inherently more efficient than structures with significant bending and compressive loads.
The Uttarakhand government plans to build the longest ropeway in the world at an altitude of 11,500 feet above sea level. The 11.5-km-long ropeway will significantly reduce the time taken by pilgrims to reach Kedarnath shrine in Rudraprayag district. The ropeway will enable them to travel from Sonprayag to Kedarnath in 60 minutes.
On his visit to Uttarakhand on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of development in the hills and of developing tourism in the region, also announcing a project involving cable cars to ferry tourists. Referencing the upcoming Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the Vishwanath Dham project in Kashi, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for reconstruction projects worth over Rs 400 crore at Kedarnath in Uttarakhand.
According to S K Jain, consultant for the Kedarnath ropeway project, the earlier plan was to build a ropeway from Gaurikund to Kedarnath shrine, but it was later decided to shift the starting point to Sonprayag. The 16-km trekking route to the shrine starts at Gaurikund. The motorable distance between Sonprayag and Gaurikund is 8 kms.
Detailed project report
For the project a detailed project report (DPR) is being prepared in view of the construction of a ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath. Ropeway exercise has been started not only for Kedarnath, but also for Hemkund Sahib. The private sector can also show interest in the construction of these ropeways, so that tenders have been invited. According to Secretary Tourism Dilip Jawalkar, once the Kedarnath ropeway takes shape, it will be included in the world’s longest ropeway. Its length will be about 11.5 km and after completion pilgrims can reach from Sonprayag to Kedarnath in 25 minutes.
Tenders have been invited For Hemkund Sahib and Kedarnath Dham Ropeway Project.Kedarnath Dham Ropeway project will be included in the longest ropeway in the world. Its length will be about 11.5 km and it will be possible to reach Kedarnath from Sonprayag in 25 minutes.The walking distance from Gaurikund to Kedarnath Dham is about 16 kilometers, as it is located at an altitude of 11,500 feet above sea level.