New Delhi: For all round and sustainable development of a region, an efficient transport is required, which is safe, clean and competitive. Development of freight and personal mobility by inland transport modes by improving traffic safety, environmental performance and energy efficiency is a big challenge in hilly areas. The rail and air transport networks are limited in these areas, while the development of the road network has technical challenges. In this backdrop, ropeways have emerged as a convenient and safe alternate transport mode.
The Government of India has decided to develop ropeways in hilly areas of the country. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has so far been responsible for development of highways and regulating the road transport sector across the country. However, in February 2021, the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961 was amended, which enables the Ministry to also look after the development of Ropeways and Alternate Mobility Solutions.
The move will give a boost to the sector by setting up a regulatory regime. The Ministry will also have responsibility for development of ropeway and alternative mobility solutions technology, as well as construction, research, and policy in this area. Formulation of institutional, financial, and regulatory framework for the technology will also fall under the ambit of this allocation.
Union Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget for 2022-23 announced the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala – will be taken up on PPP mode, which will be a preferred ecologically sustainable alternative in place of conventional roads in difficult hilly areas. The idea is to improve connectivity and convenience for commuters, besides promoting tourism. This may also cover congested urban areas, where conventional mass transit systems are not feasible.
The Finance Minister has also announced that contracts for eight ropeway projects for a length of 60 km would be awarded in 2022-23. The scheme is being presently started in regions like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir and the other North Eastern states.
Given that ropeway projects are built in a straight line over a hilly terrain, it also results in lower land acquisition costs. Hence, despite having a higher cost of construction per km than roadways, ropeway projects’ construction cost may happen to be more economical than roadways.
Owing to the aerial mode of transportation, ropeways have an advantage over roadway projects where ropeways can be built in a straight line, over a hilly terrain. Low dust emissions. Material containers can be designed so as to rule out any soiling of the environment. Similarly, ropeway projects adopting 3S – a kind of cable car system or equivalent technologies can transport 6000-8000 passengers per hour.
This mode of transportation will enable mobility to people living in difficult areas and help them become part of the mainstream. Villagers or farmers living in such areas will be able to sell their produce in other areas, which in turn will help them grow their income. Ropeway having multiple cars is propelled by a single power-plant and drive mechanism. This reduces both construction and maintenance costs. The use of a single operator for an entire ropeway is a further saving, in labour cost. On level ground, the cost of ropeways is competitive with narrow-gauge railroads; in the mountains the ropeway is far superior.
A ropeway allows for the simultaneous transport of different types of material. Ropeways and cableways can handle large slopes and large differences in elevation. Where a road or railroad needs switchbacks or tunnels, a ropeway travels straight up and down the fall line. The old cliff railways in England and ski resort ropeways in the mountains take advantage of this feature. The fact that only narrow-based vertical supports are needed at intervals, leaving the rest of the ground free, makes it possible for ropeways to be constructed in built-up areas and in places where there is intense competition for land use.
