The long and tiring journey from Sonprayag to Kedarnath is set to become much faster and safer. Adani Enterprises Ltd. (AEL) has been awarded the contract to build a 12.9-km ropeway connecting the two
points. Currently, pilgrims take 8 to 9 hours to reach Kedarnath on foot or other means like ponies, palanquins, and helicopters. The new ropeway will significantly reduce this travel time, making the sacred pilgrimage more accessible.
The project, approved by the Union Cabinet earlier this year, will be executed on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis in collaboration with National Highways & Logistics Management Ltd. (NHLML). It will be developed over six years, and AEL will operate it for 29 years after completion.
The initiative is part of the National Ropeways Development Programme, Parvatmala Pariyojana, and is expected to benefit the 20 lakh pilgrims visiting Kedarnath every year.
How Much Time Will It Take?
Once completed, the ropeway will cut the journey from Sonprayag to Kedarnath from nearly 9 hours to just 36 minutes. This reduction will make the pilgrimage far easier, safer, and less exhausting for devotees.
What Will Be The Fare?
While the exact fare has not been announced yet, officials say it will be designed to remain affordable for the thousands of pilgrims who travel this route every year. Further updates on ticket pricing will be shared closer to the ropeway’s launch.
How Many Passengers Can Travel In One Day?
The ropeway will use advanced Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology, capable of carrying 1,800 passengers per hour per direction. This translates to an overall daily capacity of around 18,000 pilgrims, ensuring smooth movement even during peak times.
What Is The Cost of The Project?
The total cost of the ropeway is estimated at Rs 4,081 crore. The investment aims to improve connectivity, boost tourism, create local jobs, and provide a safer, modern infrastructure for pilgrims travelling to the holy site.
As quoted by the Times of India, Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, highlighted the importance of the project: “The Kedarnath ropeway is more than an engineering project; it is a bridge between devotion and modern infrastructure. By making this sacred journey safer, faster, and more accessible, we honour the faith of millions while creating new opportunities for Uttarakhand’s people.”
With this ropeway, pilgrims will experience a much smoother journey while enjoying breathtaking views, making the historic trek to Kedarnath far more convenient and memorable.
