An efficient and safe transport network development is a big challenge in hilly areas. These areas have limited rail and air transport networks owing to the geographical make-up. At the same time, the development of the road network has numerous technical challenges. In this backdrop of the situation, Ropeway has emerged as a safe and convenient alternate mode of transport.
The Government of India has decided to go forward with the development of ‘Ropeways’ under the Parvatmala Project, in the hilly areas of the country. Till now, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) was responsible for the development of Highways and regulating the road transport sector across the country. However, in February 2021, the Government of India amended (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961, thus enabling the Road Transport and Highways Ministry to also undertake the development of Ropeways and Alternate Mobility Solutions.
The Road Transport Ministry will have an added responsibility for the development of ropeway and alternative mobility solutions technology, as well as of the construction, research, and making policy in this area. The formulation of the institutional, financial, and regulatory framework will also fall under the ministry after this allocation.
While presenting the Union Budget for 2022-23, Union Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman had announced that ‘Parvatmala’ the National Ropeways Development Programme will be implemented on the Public-Private Partnership model. She had said that ropeways will be a preferred and ecologically sustainable alternative to the conventional roads in difficult hilly areas. The whole idea of the Parvatmala project is to improve safe and sustainable connectivity and convenience for commuters, along with tourism promotion.
The Finance Minister further said that the Parvatmala objective may also cover congested urban locations where the conventional mass transit system is not practical. The Finance Minister informed in her speech that the contracts for eight ropeway projects, for a total length of 60 kilometers will be awarded in 2022-23. The project is currently being started in certain regions of the country, such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir and the other North-Eastern states.
Major Factors Favoring Parvatmala Ropeway Infrastructure
- Economical mode of transportation: Since ropeway projects are built in a straight line over a hilly terrain, it results in lower land acquisition costs. So, even with the higher per kilometer construction cost when compared to roadways, the ropeway construction cost happens to be more economical than roadways.
- Faster mode of transportation: Because of the aerial mode of transportation, ropeways have an advantage over roadway projects as the ropeways are built over hilly terrains in a straight line.
- Environmentally friendly: Ropeways provide for low dust emissions. Moreover, the material containers will be designed so as to rule out any soiling of the environment.
- Last mile connectivity: Ropeway projects can transport 6000-8000 passengers per hour by adopting the 3S (a type of cable car system) or equivalent technologies.
The Benefits of Ropeways
Ideal for difficult, challenging and sensitive terrain: The ropeway system can easily cross obstacles like rivers, buildings, ravines, or roads without a problem. Also, since the ropes are guided over towers, the ground space requirement becomes very low, and hence barrier-free transit for humans or animals.
The ropeway mode of transportation will enable mobility to the people living in difficult areas and will help them become a part of the mainstream. Villagers and farmers living in such remote and difficult areas will be able to sell their produce in other areas as well, which in turn will help them grow their income.
Economy: Since ropeway systems have multiple cars driven by a single power plant and drive mechanism, it is much more efficient in reducing both construction and maintenance costs. A single operator is needed for an entire stretch of the ropeway, which further adds to saving in terms of labour cost. While on the level ground, the cost of ropeways is competitive with the narrow-gauge railroads; in the mountains, the ropeway becomes far more superior.
Flexible: The ropeway will allow for the simultaneous transport of different types of material, thus acting as a flexible mode of transport.
Suitable for large slopes: Ropeways and cableways (cable cranes) are most suitable when working with large slopes and differences in elevation. At times when a road or rail needs switchbacks or tunnels, a ropeway travels straight up and down the fall line. As an example, the old cliff railways in England and the ski resort ropeways in the mountains take advantage of this feature.
Low footprint: In ropeways, only narrow-based vertical supports are needed at regular intervals, thus leaving the rest of the ground free. This makes it possible for the ropeways to be constructed in built-up areas and in places where there is intense competition for land use.
