Ropeway system to transport millions of pilgrims high in the Himalayas

Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand, India, are very important pilgrimage centres at high altitudes in the Himalayas. The millions of pilgrims who flock to these places annually are forced to navigate the steep and rugged final kilometers on foot. The National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), along with Uttarakhand Tourism have decided to construct ropeways, or cable car systems, to provide a safe and comfortable passage for the pilgrims.  

Our Urban experts are carrying out the feasibility study, detailed project report (DPR) and engineering and design of the ropeways. The project began in November 2021 and is slated for completion in November 2023.   

Moving 1.5 million people high in the Himalayas 

The project covers two locations:   
The 13km-long Sonprayag-Gaurikund-Kedarnath route: Over one million people take this route on foot each year, during the eight-month summer period when passage is possible due to the absence of snow. The planned ropeway is expected to move upwards of 5,000 people per hour (PPH). The elevation difference between the lower terminal (1,700m) and the upper terminal (3,500m) is around 1,800m.  

Kendarnath terminal tower and station, slated for completion in 2023 

The 12.6km-long Govind Ghat-Ghangaria-Hemkund Sahib route: Approximately 450,000 people walk this route each year, during the six months without snowfall. The ropeway will transport up to 3,000 PPH. The elevation of this route is around 2,500m, the lower terminal at 1,695m in altitude and the upper terminal at 4,165m. 

It is expected that 70% of visitors will opt to use the ropeways.  

Sustainability for the people and the planet 

Renewable power will be the main source for running the ropeways. In these ecologically sensitive areas of the Himalayas, the project eliminates the need to cut into slopes as would be required by laying roads, minimizes the number of people travelling to the sites by helicopter and greatly reduces disturbance to the alpine flora and fauna caused by the masses of people walking in these vulnerable areas. 

“We are proud to contribute to this project of national importance in the fragile Himalayan ecosystems. The cable cars will greatly facilitate the pilgrims’ journey. Conditions are currently extremely difficult, with rough terrain, subzero temperatures, thin air and very little cover. The sites are only accessible 6-8 months of the year due to heavy snow, but the cable car systems will extend that. The ropeways are expected to bring a notable change in the region, including an economic boost to local industries like tourism.” Rahul Jotshi, Senior General Manager, on-site at Kedarnath in the Himalayas