Shimla, September 2: The Himachal Pradesh government has put the proposed ₹2,700-crore Shimla ropeway project on hold due to its high cost, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said in the Assembly on Wednesday.During Question Hour, Sukhu said the project could not be taken forward as its estimated cost had reached around ₹2,700 crore.
He said ropeways were important for a hill state like Himachal Pradesh, but their high construction and operating costs made it difficult for the government to fund large projects on its own.The government will now encourage private investment and promote ropeway projects through the public-private partnership (PPP) model, Sukhu said. He also invited private investors to invest in Himachal Pradesh and assured them of government support.
The chief minister said Forest Conservation Act (FCA) clearances were also a major challenge for several ropeway projects.Industry Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan said six major ropeway projects in the state were at different stages under the PPP model.
Work on the ₹340-crore Palchan-Rohtang ropeway is underway and is targeted for completion by 2028. The ₹278-crore Bijli Mahadev ropeway project has been delayed due to local opposition and a pending case before the National Green Tribunal.
Other projects, including the Baba Balak Nath temple ropeway, Kullu Dhalpur-Peej ropeway and Dharamshala-Naddi zipline, are at different stages of approvals and implementation.
