Shimla: To improve access to the pilgrimage center of Deotsidh, Himachal Tourism has decided upon building the proposed Shahtalai – Deotsidh ropeway on a build, operate, own and transfer (BOOT) basis, top officials disclosed.
The Gurgaon based RITES India Ltd has been asked to submit a revised survey report by 25th November for the about 2 Km long proposed ropeway that would enable pilgrims to ascend to Deothsidh from Shahtalai in about 10 minutes, says Manisha Nanda, principal secretary tourism.
With about 25 to 30 lakh pilgrims visiting Deotsidh, each year, the ropeway is intended to ease the pressure only road leading upto the shrine and provide an alternate mode of transport for the devoted, she said.
At the same time the department has decided to prepare the bid document for Neugal-Palampur ropeway after making some changes in locating the lower terminal point at Neugal.
Department officials have also decided to approach their counterparts in Punjab government for solving the problems being encountered in the Anandpur Sahib-Naina Devi ropeway.
Issues related to Bhunter-Bijli Mahadev ropeway and Palchan-Rohtang ropeway in Kullu district would also be sorted out at the earliest, said Nanda.
Other present in the meeting included Arun Kumar Sharma, director tourism, Sanjiv Pathania, additional director, Manoj Sharma, joint director and RITES consultants NC Srivastava & Mr RK Sharma.
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Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
