Tender for Shimla ropeway to be floated after Diwali: Dy CM

The tender for the ambitious Shimla Urban Ropeway project will be floated after Diwali and the work on it is likely to start in March next year. “Our funding agency, New Development Bank, has allowed us to float the tender for the project in advance. The work on the project is likely to start in March,” said Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri while addressing mediapersons here today. The Rs 1,774-crore project, which would be the second longest passenger ropeway in the world after the one in Bolivia, would be constructed by the Central and state governments on the 80:20 cost sharing basis.

The project, which will be akin to a metro on ropes, is being touted as a solution to ever increasing traffic on the narrow roads of Shimla city. Besides, it will boost tourism in the capital city. “The dream is turning into a reality. Ropeways are clearly the future of the state if we want to compete with other countries in tourism,” said Agnihotri, who also holds the transport portfolio.

He said that the ropeway network would have 13 stations, 660 trolleys and three lines and 6,000 people would be able to commute on it in one hour. He slammed his political adversaries for “trying to take credit for the project”. He added, “We hired the foreign consultant for the project, prepared the detailed project report (DPR) and gave Rs 20 crore for the environment clearance for it. Still, some people are trying to take credit for the project.”

Agnihotri said that ropeways were a big priority for the state government and the work on several such projects was underway. “The Baglamukhi ropeway will be inaugurated on November 5 and all formalities for the construction of the Bijli Mahadev ropeway have been completed. Besides, we are also considering the construction of the Parwanoo-Shimla ropeway,” he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that all these ropeways would have world-class safety measures to ensure the safety of passengers.

Will have 13 boarding, de-boarding stations

The Shimla Urban Ropeway project will have 13 boarding and de-boarding stations.

It will have 660 trolleys and three lines and will cover most areas in Shimla city.

The boarding stations will come up at Tara Devi, Chakkar court, Tutikandi parking, New ISBT, 103 Tunnel, railway station, Victory Tunnel, Old Bus Stand, Lakkar Bazaar, IGMC, Sanjauli, Navbahar, Secretariat and the Lift.