J&K ropeways take off

The Central government in collaboration with the National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) has embarked on an ambitious nationwide project to build ropeway networks across some of the most challenging and rugged terrains in India. Between March and June 2025, tenders were issued for the selection of consultants to prepare Detailed Project Reports for the initiative, spanning states such as Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Jammu and Kashmir. The submission deadline for bids is set between November and December 2025 with successful consultants given a six-month window to complete their DPR studies. This far-reaching project is part of a broader transformation aimed at improving mobility, boosting tourism, and unlocking economic potential in the country’s most remote and difficult-to-reach regions.

Jammu and Kashmir has become a pivotal part of this nationwide ropeway development initiative. In 2023, the J&K Government gave the green light to the Parvatamala Initiative, aimed at expanding aerial ropeways across the region in collaboration with NHLML and in accordance with the J&K Aerial Ropeways Act, 2002. Initially, eighteen ropeway corridors were put forward for the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Category A included ten major projects, such as the Darshan Deopdi to Shivkhori in Reasi, Makhdoom Sahib to Hari Parbat in Srinagar, Baltal to Amarnath Cave in Anantnag, Bhaderwah to Seojdhar, Shakermarg to Seven Lakes in Rajouri, Nashri Tunnel to Sanasar in Ramban, the Shankaracharya ropeway in Srinagar, Sonamarg to Thajiwas Glacier in Ganderbal, Wullar to Baba Shukur ud din in Baramulla, and Pahalgam to Aru Valley/Baisaran in Anantnag. Category B consisted of eight additional alignments, such as Sutharan to Tosemaidan in Budgam, Karcihall to Wasamarg in Ramban, Sinthan Top to Gali Maidan in Kishtwar, Loren Poonch to Tosemaidan, Khadinyar to Bosiian in Baramulla, Dubjan to Peer ki Gali in Shopian, Sonamarg to Kishansar in Ganderbal, and Chunt Wali War to Lalmarg in Ganderbal. These corridors, both in Category A and Category B are aimed at improving connectivity, tourism access, and economic development in J&K’s remote and scenic regions.

The primary goal of these ropeway projects is to bolster tourism, enhance access to religious and scenic sites, cut down travel times, improve safety in the rugged hilly terrains and foster economic growth in remote areas. Ropeways offer a safe and reliable mode of transport where traditional road construction may be difficult or environmentally damaging. These systems also provide a unique visitor experience, which directly benefits the tourism industry by attracting more travelers to picturesque locations. In addition to improving tourism accessibility, the Sonamarg to Thajiwas Glacier, Shankaracharya, and other key corridors will further transform the region into a tourist hub, offering visitors panoramic views of Kashmir’s stunning landscapes. Pilgrimage routes such as those to Amarnath, Shiv Khori and Hari Parbat will become more accessible, particularly for elderly and differently-abled individuals, ensuring that spiritual journeys are easier and safer for all.

Beyond the direct benefits to tourism, these ropeway projects will create substantial employment opportunities at both the construction and operational stages. Local communities will benefit from jobs in areas like cable car operation, station management, ticketing, security and hospitality services at nearby hotels and restaurants. The increased flow of tourists will stimulate the local economy by creating new business opportunities and boosting demand for goods and services in surrounding areas.

Additionally, ropeways will help alleviate traffic congestion and reduce pollution, preserving fragile mountain ecosystems while improving connectivity for remote populations. They will also facilitate swift evacuations in emergency situations. Ultimately, these ropeway corridors will not only bridge geographical challenges but also drive significant socio-economic development, transforming regions that have long been isolated due to difficult terrain into thriving centres of tourism and local employment.

In September 2025 the government initially floated tenders for five ropeway projects and later expanded them to seven which include Sonamarg Thajiwas, Dudhpathri Diskhal, Bhaderwah Seoj Dhar, Baltal Amarnath, Pahalgam Amarnath, Nashri Tunnel Sanasar and the Shankaracharya ropeway. The RFQ mandates that the consultant must perform an extensive benchmarking study by examining global best practices in ropeway design and operation across six international and two Indian cases. This involves studying technologies used, terrain conditions, reason behind selecting specific systems, development standards, equipment choices and passenger demand. Such detailed assessment aims to bring modern world class ropeway systems to Jammu and Kashmir ensuring safety, efficiency and sustainability.

However, despite this major push not all projects listed in 2023 have been taken up in the first phase. Some may be pursued later depending on their feasibility and strategic importance. One of the most notable projects missing from the current list is the Verinag Ropeway which has a long background and strong public expectation. Verinag holds immense importance due to the famous Verinag Spring, the origin of the Jhelum River, surrounded by Mughal era architecture and breathtaking natural beauty. The Verinag Ropeway was first proposed by the Tourism Department in 2013 with a cost of ₹10 crore. Bids were invited in 2014 but the project did not progress. In 2016 the State Cable Car Corporation revived the proposal and invited bids for financing, designing, supplying, installing, testing, commissioning and operating the ropeway on a BOOT basis for thirty-five years. The plan was to connect Verinag Spring to the botanical garden allowing visitors easier access to the scenic upper areas. Despite renewed interest the project again failed due to administrative hurdles, funding issues, land related complexities and shifting political priorities. As a result, Verinag, despite its tourism potential and repeated attempts, remained without a cable car system.

Now when the government is aggressively pursuing ropeway development across J&K the absence of Verinag and other anticipated projects is again disappointing. Despite being one of the oldest and most anticipated proposals, the Verinag Ropeway was neither included in the 2023 MOU with NHLML nor featured in the 2025 tenders. This is particularly unfortunate, as the project had already undergone tendering twice in the past, while several other corridors were selected for development. In the context of the past and the present the Verinag Ropeway stands as one of the most deserving yet repeatedly sidelined projects. Its revival would not only support tourism and local employment but also integrate the area into the broader ropeway network under development.

There is renewed hope that once the DPRs for Phase 1 corridors are completed and construction moves forward, the government will revisit the long-pending Verinag Ropeway along with other crucial projects. The positive development is that several key corridors have already been prioritized for DPR studies, signalling continued momentum in the region’s ropeway expansion. With strong political commitment and the expertise being brought to the table, there’s still a clear path for Verinag and other projects to be included in future phases of the project. As the vision for sustainable mountain mobility unfolds, both the local community and the tourism sector eagerly await the revival of this iconic proposal, while also ensuring that the corridors already approved move swiftly from planning to construction.

Peerzada Mohsin Shafi hails from Anantnag and writes on infrastructure related matters.