Maharashtra govt partners with NHAI to carry out 40 ropeway projects

As part of the National Ropeway Programme ‘Parvatmala,’ the Maharashtra government has partnered with the National Highways Logistic Management Limited (NHLML) to implement ropeways. 

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) subsidiary NHLML, which develops infrastructure, and the Maharashtra Public Works Department strengthened their collaboration recently when they signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the subject.

The NHLML is in charge of overseeing the ropeway projects’ implementation. The state government has submitted a thorough list of forty ropeway projects for review. With the exception of five projects from Pune, the majority of these proposals come from Mumbai, Satara, Raigad, Nashik, Nanded, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. 

Some of these proposals seek to build ropeway connections to popular tourist spots in Pune, such as Lenyadri Ashtavinayak at Junnar, Sinhagad Fort, Rajgad Fort, Shivneri Fort, and Darya Ghat.

With a total investment exceeding Rs 1,000 crore, the state-owned NHLML has already started work on four of the 40 proposed ropeway projects. In the meantime, work is underway on the detailed project reports (DPRs) for three projects: Mahad in the Raigad district, Matheran Hill Station, and Rajgad Fort in Pune. 

Furthermore, offers to build a new ropeway in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, from Brahmagiri to Anjaneri Hills, have been invited. This 5.7-kilometer ropeway will link these important sites at the top of their respective hills, which are about 7 kilometers apart.

According to the plan, NHLML has been tasked with carrying out feasible ropeway projects from the state governments’ priority list of proposals. State governments are required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NHLML in order to facilitate the development of ropeway networks. We anticipate that this Memorandum of Understanding will guarantee the effective development, construction, operation, and upkeep of the projects that have been identified. Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh have already inked Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the NHLML for the construction of ropeways as part of the ambitious Parvatmala Yojana.