PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Girnar ropeway in Gujarat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday digitally inaugurated the newly-built passenger ropeway service at Girnar in Junagadh district.
Built at the cost of ₹130 crore, the 2.3-km-long Girnar ropeway is believed to be among the longest ropeways in the world to connect a temple.
"Earlier, it used to take 5-7 hours to climb Girnar, but now it will take only 7-8 minutes. More devotees and tourists will visit Girnar. It will give a boost to adventure activities. I am also happy that the project will create more employment opportunities for local youths," the Prime Minister said in his video address.
Passenger ropeway developer, Usha Breco Limited constructed the Girnar ropeway in two years in spite of multiple challenges including tough terrain, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Having nine towers, the ropeway comprises 25 cabins, including one glass-floored cabin, each having a capacity to carry eight passengers at a time. The ropeway has the capacity to carry 800 passengers in an hour, and 8,000 in a day. The two-way fare of the ropeway is ₹700, while the fare is ₹350 for children in the age group of 5-10. No fare will be charged for children under the age of five. There is also an option of availing a one-way ticket for ₹400.
This is Usha Breco’s eighth ropeway project after Maa Mansa Devi Shrine and Maa Chandi Devi in Haridwar, Pavagadh and Ambaji in Gujarat, Jatayupura and Malampuzha in Kerala, and Maa Tara Tarini in Odisha. These ropeways ferry more than 7 million people annually. The company is also in the process to develop ropeways at Shimla, Kullu, and Kangra in Himachal Pradesh.
