Himachal Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri announced that tenders for the highly-anticipated Shimla Ropeway Project will be invited shortly after Diwali. With the New Development Bank's approval, this ambitious project will see the setting up of a world-class ropeway system which may rewrite a new time on transportation in Shimla.

“The Shimla Ropeway will be the largest of its kind in India and the second largest globally after Bolivia,” Agnihotri shared at a press briefing on Thursday. With a 14 kilometre stretch, this project is expected to alleviate heavy traffic congestion in the city and address the infrastructure challenges caused by a growing number of vehicles during peak tourist seasons.

The ropeway infrastructure will feature 660 trolleys and will be spread across 13 stations. The popular locations include Taradevi Railway Station, Lakkar Bazaar, and Tutikandi. This ropeway will have the ability to carry 6,000 passengers per hour. The project will guarantee direct employment to 250 people and direct engagement of over 20,000 residents with indirect job opportunities.

Why is the project important? 

The project, costing Rs 1,734 crore, is well thought out with a DPR prepared by an internationally funded consultant. Agnihotri spoke of this green mode of transport, hailing it as a solution to traffic at the peak season in Shimla while preserving the natural beauty of the area.  “The Shimla Ropeway is not only a response to peak season traffic challenges but a key driver in positioning Shimla as an international tourist destination,” he said, emphasizing how the project would enhance visitor experience without compromising the region's ecological balance.

Dubbed the "Queen of Hill Stations," Shimla has long struggled with congestion as urbanization has intensified. The city's extremely modest infrastructure has witnessed traffic overloads only recently, especially in peak tourist seasons when the numbers of visitors can rise to an estimate of about 40 lakh. During such peak times, Shimla often witnesses more than 10,000 vehicles despite its infrastructures being built to accommodate barely 2,500. The new ropeway will allow tourists to park at entry points and further move to key city spots on the ropeway network, offering a carbon-free alternative to conventional modes of transport.

It has approved another one at Baba Balaknath Temple, after the already operational ropeway at Baglamukhi Temple. With this, the number of operational ropeways in India will be only 20. Himachal Pradesh will lead in the ropeway transportation system as most countries nowadays are looking for eco-friendly travel solutions. The total ropeways around the globe are about 25,000.

This will be a landmark project for the city of Shimla through which any tourist or the local people would be able to navigate through this beautiful city better and would promise transformation within the tourism map of Shimla.