Uttarakhand CM Dhami reviews ropeway projects in the state with Nitin Gadkari

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a review meeting on Tuesday with Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to assess the progress of ropeway projects in the state.

Earlier in the day, during a convocation ceremony at Graphic Era Deemed University in Dehradun, Dhami spoke highly of Gadkari’s leadership and expertise.

Praising the Union Minister, Dhami said, "If you want to learn the art of project management, then there can be no better teacher than Gadkari ji... His speciality is completing very important projects at a low cost. You have won the hearts of the people by building a network of roads from small villages to remote hilly areas of the state."

Dhami also highlighted Uttarakhand’s strides in the education sector, stating, "Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, our state government is working to make Uttarakhand a leader in education, like other regions. Machine learning, AI and big data courses are being conducted in colleges. Scientific research is being promoted in the state."

One of the key infrastructure developments under discussion is the ropeway project from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji. Approved by the Union Cabinet in March, the 12.4-kilometre ropeway will be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹2,730.13 crore. The project aims to significantly ease the difficult 21-kilometre trek currently undertaken by pilgrims and tourists to reach Hemkund Sahib Ji and the Valley of Flowers.

The ropeway will enhance last-mile connectivity through all seasons and is set to be developed under a public-private partnership model. It will consist of a Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km) and a Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib Ji (1.85 km). Designed to carry 1,100 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD), the ropeway can transport up to 11,000 people daily.

In addition to providing convenience and connectivity, the project is expected to create significant employment opportunities during its construction and operation phases. The initiative will also support allied industries such as hospitality, tourism, and food and beverage services throughout the year.