Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has approved a long-awaited ropeway project in Kedarnath which will cut short the distance between the Kedarnath Dham and Sonprayag by several hours. The project has been approved ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to the Dham later this month.
With the construction of the ropeway, the distance between Sonprayag and Kedarnath Dham will be greatly reduced. It usually takes around 8 to 12 hours to cover that journey either on foot or pony. However, after the completion of the project, pilgrims will be able to do it in merely an hour.
The distance from Sonprayag to Kedarnath by the Kedarnath Ropeway will be 13 km. The ropeway will be one of the highest ropeways in the world at an altitude of 11,500 feet (3,500 m) above sea level. Reportedly, it will cost a staggering Rs 1,200 crore.
The Kedarnath Dham sees a great number of pilgrims every year and after the completion of this project, their numbers are expected to increase further. It should be noted that
Hemkund Sahib Ropeway gets green signal too
According to Principal Secretary, Forest and PWD, RK Sudhanshu, the National Board of Wild Animals has approved the construction of ropeway in Kedarnath Sanctuary area. Along with this, the board has also given green signal to Kedarnath’s foot track and Hemkund Sahib ropeway project.
A total of 26 hectares of land will be acquired in this project. These projects will be constructed under the Parivarama Project of the Central government.
Along with this, the National Board of Wild Animals has also approved the construction of 5 and a half kilometer foot track from Rambara to Garudchatti which was damaged in a 2013 incident.
