Manali: Promoters of the Rs 450 crore Rohtang Palchan ropeway project announced here today that work was expected to commence by March 2017. Amitabh Sharma, director Manali Ropeway Pvt Ltd (MRPL) said, “we hope to obtain all clearances finalise the technology by October end and be ready to start construction work by March, in the coming year.”
He added that depending upon the weather conditions, the project mobilisation would start in November and the project is targeted for completion by end of 2018.
The ropeway to Rohtang will go through three stages i.e, Palchan to Gulaba, Gulaba to Marhi and finally Marhi to Rothang. This distance of 8 km would be covered in 25 minutes of ropeway travel.
The project would be executed in a joint venture of Manali Ropeway Pvt Ltd with Teril Urban Transport Pvt Ltd, a Tata company, said Sharma.
Amitab said the ropeway will ease traffic congestion on the Manali-Rohtang road, where restrictions have been imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on vehicular movement. The NGT in its order has said that efforts must be made to set up the ropeway soon as possible, it will provide employment and bring additional income to the locals.
The project, which had earlier been awarded to Power Himalaya Ltd, was cancelled by the cabinet on February 27, 2014, as the company had failed to pay the project development fee and other dues. The company finally tied up with Tata Infrastructure Ltd and formed a joint venture Manali Ropeway Pvt Ltd for which an memorandum of understanding has been duly signed .
Sanjay Dutta, an engineer by qualification but is a journalist by choice.
He has worked for the premier new agency Press Trust of India and leading English daily Indian Express.
With more than a decade of experience, he has been highlighting issues related to environment, tourism and other aspects affecting mountain ecology.
Sanjay Dutta lives in a village close to Manali in Kullu valley of Himachal.
