Sonprayag Kedarnath Ropeway To Cut Trek Time From 9 Hours
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Adani Enterprises Ltd. (AEL) to invest ₹4,081 crore in its first ropeway project between Sonprayag and Kedarnath
The Sonprayag-Kedarnath ropeway is part of the National Ropeways Development Programme under Parvatmala Pariyojana. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved two ropeway projects in Uttarakhand, including this one, costing a total of about ₹6,811.41 crore.
The cost of ₹4,081.28 crore includes advanced technology costs, terrain challenges, environmental safeguards, cofferdams, towers, safety equipment, etc. The 12.9 km ropeway will cut the journey from 8–9 hours to just 36 minutes. The travel time reduction is dramatic: from a difficult trek (often 8-9 hours) over hilly and rough terrain to about half an hour via ropeway, making it accessible even during bad weather or for people who cannot trek. This also helps reduce risk for pilgrims (accidents, altitude sickness, etc.), and can lessen the impact on surrounding trails.
Project to be completed in six years under AEL’s RMRW division. The six-year timeline is part of the DBFOT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Transfer) model under PPP. These phases include planning, environmental clearances, structural work, and ropeway installation. The Public-Private Partnership model ensures that a private entity builds & operates for a fixed period (29 years in this case) after construction, then hands back. This gives time to recover costs. Capacity to carry 1,800 passengers per hour per direction This capacity (PPHPD = passengers per hour per direction) is large. For the Sonprayag-Kedarnath ropeway, the design is 1,800 PPHPD carrying up to 18,000 passengers per day.
Using 3S (tri-cable detachable gondola) technology allows higher capacity, stability, wind resistance, and longer spans between supports. To be developed under the PPP mode on a revenue share with NHLML (National Highways Logistics Management Ltd.) NHLML is a government company under MoRTH (Ministry of Road Transport & Highways), fully owned by NHAI; it is implementing ropeways among its infrastructure portfolio. PPP with revenue share means NHLML and Adani will share revenue from ticketing, operations, etc, after construction; the private partner bears the upfront cost and operations risk. This model is common in infrastructure to spread risk.
Adani Enterprises Ltd. (AEL), the flagship incubator of the Adani Portfolio, has received a Letter of Award (LoA) from the National Highways Logistics Management Ltd. (NHLML) for building the prestigious ropeway project connecting Sonprayag with Kedarnath. The project will be executed by AEL’s Roads, Metro, Rail, and Water (RMRW) division.
This is one of several ropeway projects approved recently under Parvatmala Pariyojana. The other is Govindghat-Hemkund Sahib. RMRW division handles large civil infrastructure, including roads, metro and also water bodies; ropeway is a new but related infrastructure for remote terrain connectivity.
Once operational, the 12.9 km ropeway project will reduce travel time from an arduous 9-hour trek to just 36 minutes, making the pilgrimage far easier and safer. The ropeway will be able to carry 1,800 passengers per hour per direction, serving lakhs of pilgrims each year. Kedarnath witnesses around 20 lakh pilgrims annually, highlighting the importance of this project.
The current route to Kedarnath is via Gaurikund, then trekking, or by helicopter, partly, or pony or palanquins; many pilgrims find the trek difficult, especially the last stretch. The ropeway will make the last stretch easier. With a daily capacity of 18,000 and annual pilgrim traffic of ~20 lakh, this ropeway could significantly reduce congestion on trails and also reduce pressure on lodgings and medical help along the route.
The ropeway is part of the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana. Developed on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis, the project will take six years to complete, and AEL will operate it for 29 years after construction. Along with improving connectivity, the project is expected to create jobs and boost tourism in the region. Parvatmala Pariyojana was announced in the 2022-23 Union Budget to build hundreds of ropeways across India, especially in hilly and remote areas; government support is being provided in certain forms for making projects viable. Employment will come during construction (jobs for labour, engineers, technicians) and then operations (rope maintenance, operations, tourism services, local hospitality). Local businesses will benefit from more pilgrims.
“The Kedarnath ropeway is more than an engineering project – it is a bridge between devotion and modern infrastructure,” said Mr Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group. “By making this sacred journey safer, faster and more accessible, we honour the faith of millions while creating new opportunities for Uttarakhand’s people through our partnership with NHLML and the Government of Uttarakhand. This prestigious project reflects our commitment to building infrastructure that not only serves the nation but also uplifts its people.”
Safety, accessibility and pilgrimage experience are key concerns for devotees; many are elderly or have difficulty in high altitudes; a ropeway can help reduce accidents on trekking routes. Also, environmental impact is being considered: ropeway has less surface disruption than roads; less land acquisition; but it must manage ecological sensitivity.
