CM Dhami Sets November 9 Deadline for Ropeway Projects

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed displeasure over the slow progress of various ropeway projects during a review meeting at his residence, as reported by ANI and Republic World. Issuing strict directions to implementing agencies to expedite work, he said visible progress on the ground must be achieved by State Foundation Day on November 9.

Dhami directed all concerned implementing agencies to submit progress reports on the ropeway projects to the Chief Secretary within 15 days, according to an official release. He indicated he would review progress again soon and made clear that unnecessary delays would not be tolerated, instructing officials to ensure work follows prescribed timelines.

Directives on Monitoring and Coordination

The Chief Minister directed District Magistrates to regularly monitor proposed and under-construction ropeway projects in their districts and maintain constant coordination with implementing agencies. He said issues related to land acquisition, transfer of forest land, departmental approvals, or other procedural matters should be resolved swiftly through mutual coordination between departments and implementing agencies.

Importance of Ropeways for Uttarakhand

Dhami emphasized that given Uttarakhand's geographical conditions, ropeway connectivity is extremely important for the state. He said ropeways would not only make travel to religious and tourist destinations easier but also help reduce traffic pressure on road routes. He added that these projects would boost tourism activities and create greater employment and self-employment opportunities at the local level.

Projects Under Review

During the meeting, progress of various ropeway projects implemented by the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), Uttarakhand Metro Rail Corporation (UKMRC), and the Tourism Department was reviewed. According to a presentation, discussions covered 11 proposed ropeway projects under the first phase and six under the second phase, as well as projects related to UKMRC.

Specific attention was given to the Kedarnath ropeway project, which is 12.90 km long, and the Hemkund Sahib ropeway project, at 12.40 km. Dhami directed officials to expedite all related procedures for these two projects, stating they would make pilgrimage easier and more convenient for devotees.

Nainital and Dehradun-Mussoorie Projects

The Chief Minister directed officials to speed up action on the Nainital ropeway project, noting that Nainital is one of the state's major tourist destinations. He also reviewed the Dehradun-Mussoorie ropeway project and instructed officials to accelerate related work, observing that Mussoorie faces heavy traffic congestion, particularly during the tourist season.

Other Proposed Projects and Future Outlook

Dhami reviewed the status of other proposed ropeway projects, including Yamunotri, Purnagiri, and Kunjapuri, and directed officials to prioritize completion of pending procedures. The meeting also discussed the proposed Integrated Ropeway Project in Haridwar and proposals related to the Triveni Ghat-Neelkanth ropeway.

Across all projects, Dhami stressed that they must be developed with passenger safety, environmental balance, and future requirements in mind. Based on the progress reports to be submitted to the Chief Secretary within 15 days, he will conduct another review soon.