In a significant step toward boosting connectivity and tourism in Uttarakhand, the state government signed an agreement with National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) on Tuesday for the development of ropeways to Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib under the Parvatmala Project. The signing ceremony took place at the Secretariat in the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta, and Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj.
Under the agreement, NHLML will hold a 51% equity stake, while the Uttarakhand government will hold 49%. As part of the revenue-sharing model, 90% of the funds will be reinvested in Uttarakhand to support tourism, transport, and mobility initiatives.
Chief Minister Dhami said the projects mark a turning point for religious tourism and infrastructure development in Uttarakhand. The government has approved two major ropeway projects:
A 12.9 km ropeway between Sonprayag and Kedarnath, sanctioned at a cost of about ₹4,100 crore.
A 12.4 km ropeway between Govindghat and Hemkund Sahib, sanctioned at a cost of over ₹2,700 crore.
“These ropeways will not only ease the journey for pilgrims but also strengthen our economy by creating new avenues in tourism, employment, and environmental protection,” Dhami said. He added that the projects would bring global recognition to Uttarakhand’s religious and cultural heritage while providing world-class infrastructure.
Connectivity and Development Push
Dhami underlined that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttarakhand is witnessing rapid expansion in rail, road, and ropeway connectivity. He cited examples such as:
The Char Dham all-weather road project.
The Delhi–Dehradun elevated road.
Road connectivity upgrades like the Sitarganj–Tanakpur route, Paonta Sahib–Dehradun road, Banbasa–Kanchanpur link, Bhaniyawala–Rishikesh stretch, Kathgodam–Lalkuan road, and Haldwani bypass.
Rail connectivity expansion is also being pursued aggressively, Dhami noted, as part of the government’s mission to strengthen Uttarakhand’s overall infrastructure.
Leaders Welcome the Initiative
Union Minister Ajay Tamta said the ropeway agreement was a “historic milestone” for Uttarakhand. “Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Dhami, development in every sector is progressing rapidly. These ropeways will make the pilgrimage to Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib significantly smoother and more accessible,” he said.
Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj added that the ropeways would play a key role in local economic growth. “The projects will not only enhance tourism but also generate new opportunities for employment and livelihoods in the region,” he said.
Officials Present
The signing was also attended by Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, senior officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways including Vinay Kumar, and tourism officials including Dilip Jawalkar and Dheeraj Gabryal. From NHLML, CEO Rajesh Malik and Vice President (Ropeways) Prashant Jain were present.
