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The inaugural ropeway venture in Karnataka, nestled amidst the scenic Nandi Hills, seems to have been temporarily put on hold, pending a decision from the new government regarding the resumption of this cherished initiative by the prior BJP administration. Former Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai ceremoniously laid the cornerstone for this endeavour in March of the previous year, expressing optimism that construction might commence within a few ensuing months. However, with the transition to the Siddaramaiah-led government, there has been no discernible progress towards reviving the project. Law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil remarked, “Presently, I am unable to provide an extensive commentary on the project’s status. While significant discussions surrounded the project previously, no substantive actions were undertaken on the ground. It is imperative that we re-engage with officials and deliberate on the path forward.”
Under the aegis of the BJP administration, the green light was given for a 2.93 kilometre ropeway spanning an estimated cost of Rs 93.40 crore, to be realised through a public-private partnership. The contract had been awarded to a firm, fuelling expectations of imminent construction, with a targeted completion timeframe of one year. The contractual obligations encompassed ropeway construction, management, and maintenance over a span of 30 years. The project envisaged the erection of around 20 support pillars stretching from the foothills to the terminal point, with the tallest pillar projected to reach a height of 35 meters. According to the stipulated design, the initial capacity of the ropeway was slated for 25 cabins, potentially expandable to 50 cabins, accommodating up to 10 passengers each. Sources indicate that while many states across the country boast ropeway systems, Karnataka remains one of the few states yet to join this roster.
Many Indian ropeway players are also planning solar-powered ropeway operations to reduce even reliance on electricity and make cable cars, aerial trams, and other types of ropeways more environmentally conducive. According to Chamaria, ropeways have been historically known as the mode of transport where there is no rampant destruction of the environment, as the master plans of ropeways include planting trees and promoting vegetation around ropeways sites.
Simultaneously, Karnataka has submitted a proposal to the central government to explore ropeway installations at 13 locations within the state, including Nandi Hills (Chikkaballapur district), Mullayyana Giri (Chikmagalur district), Chamundi Hills (Mysuru), Kodachadri Hills (Udupi district), Devarayana Durga (Tumakuru district), Anjanadri Hills (Koppal district), Jog Falls (Shivamogga district), Yana (Uttara Kannada district), Kumara Parvatha (Kodagu district), Madhugiri Fort (Tumakuru district), Kemmanagudi (Chikmagalur district), connecting islands within the Sagar backwaters (Shivamogga district), Rajhansgad (Belagavi district), Chapeli (Uttara Kannada district), and Joida (Uttara Kannada district).While environmentalists oppose the ropeway initiative, certain officials contend that it holds potential for boosting tourism. An official said, “Ropeways play a pivotal role in promoting tourism by providing access to individuals who may find climbing or walking challenging. For instance, Madhugiri Hill stands as one of Asia’s largest monoliths, posing a formidable climbing challenge. The introduction of a ropeway would enable even those unable to climb to relish the hill’s splendour. In Western countries, ropeways significantly facilitate tourist transportation, with minimal environmental impact. Another illustrative case is Mullayanagiri, Karnataka’s loftiest peak. Currently, visitors must journey close to Mullayanagiri and then undertake a strenuous climb to the summit. The narrow road often becomes congested with vehicles on weekends, presenting safety hazards. Implementing a ropeway could regulate crowd influx and expedite ascents.
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