Uttarakhand’s Groundbreaking Ropeway Projects Poised To Supercharge India’s Pilgrimage Tourism And Unlock Hidden Gem Destinations In The Hills

Published on December 15, 2025

Uttarakhand is embarking on a transformative journey with its ambitious ropeway projects aimed at improving hill connectivity across the state. With 50 projects planned, six of them prioritized for immediate execution, this initiative seeks to alleviate the strain on the region’s fragile mountain roads while enhancing access to key pilgrimage sites. The growing influx of visitors to revered destinations such as Kedarnath, Hemkund Sahib, and others highlights the urgent need for better connectivity. These projects are designed to not only ease travel for pilgrims but also drive sustainable tourism growth, making Uttarakhand a more accessible and attractive destination for both domestic and international visitors.

The Uttarakhand government has launched an ambitious initiative to enhance connectivity in its hill regions, with plans to implement 50 ropeway projects across the state. Six of these projects have been earmarked as priorities for immediate development, with the primary objective of improving accessibility to key pilgrimage sites while alleviating the burden on the state’s fragile mountain roads.

Work has already been assigned for two significant pilgrimage routes: Sonprayag to Kedarnath and Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib. These routes are crucial for facilitating smoother access for devotees visiting these sacred sites, especially during peak seasons.

Another prominent project in the works is the Kathgodam to Hanumangadhi Temple ropeway in Nainital, which is currently awaiting formal approval. A detailed project report (DPR) is also being prepared for the Kanakchauri to Kartik Swami corridor, which will provide an essential link for visitors to one of the region’s most visited temples.

The Chief Secretary, in a recent review meeting held on December 12, discussed the ongoing progress of these projects. He directed the inclusion of the Kainchi Dham shrine in the Kathgodam to Hanumangadhi proposal. Given the increasing number of pilgrims visiting the revered Neem Karoli Baba temple, there is a need to evaluate the feasibility of a ropeway system to manage the influx of devotees more efficiently and enhance accessibility to the site.

Meanwhile, the tendering process is underway for two more major projects in Uttarkashi and Joshimath. The Raithal Barsu to Barnala ropeway, which will serve as a vital link in Uttarkashi, and the Joshimath to Auli to Gaurson corridor, expected to boost tourism in the region, are also advancing towards the next stages of development. These projects aim to ease transportation in remote and hard-to-reach areas while promoting sustainable tourism.

To ensure timely execution, the Chief Secretary has instructed that the first meeting of the Ropeway Development Committee be held by the end of this month. All proposed projects will be presented to this committee for approval. The National Highways Logistics Management Ltd has also been tasked with appointing a CEO for the special purpose vehicle within a week to ensure that progress remains on track.

Emphasizing the importance of timely implementation, detailed timelines for the projects, including the Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib ropeways, were called for. Departments were also urged to expedite forest and wildlife clearances, acknowledging the logistical challenges such as transporting heavy machinery through difficult terrain, widening turning radii, and reinforcing bridges to accommodate large equipment.

In addition to these immediate concerns, officials have been directed to create a long-term roadmap for developing new tourism destinations within the state and expanding feeder routes over the next decade. This forward-looking strategy aims to not only improve accessibility to popular sites but also encourage the growth of local tourism hubs. Furthermore, a comprehensive future strategy for Uttarakhand Ropeway Development Ltd is being formulated to ensure the sustainability and success of the ongoing and upcoming projects.

This initiative is poised to significantly transform the travel experience in Uttarakhand, offering greater convenience to both pilgrims and tourists while protecting the region’s delicate environment. The government’s focus on leveraging ropeway technology reflects a commitment to balancing infrastructure growth with environmental and cultural preservation, paving the way for a more sustainable tourism model in the years to come.