Himachal Pradesh News
Shimla Ropeway Project Delayed by 4–5 Years, Cost Escalates by Rs 1,000 Crore
The ambitious Shimla ropeway project has suffered a major setback, with delays of four to five years and a sharp escalation in cost by nearly Rs 1,000 crore. In view of the delay and rising expenditure, the Himachal Pradesh government has sent a detailed status report to the Centre.
The ambitious Shimla ropeway project has suffered a major setback, with delays of four to five years and a sharp escalation in cost by nearly Rs 1,000 crore. In view of the delay and rising expenditure, the Himachal Pradesh government has sent a detailed status report to the Centre.
Transport Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said the project was originally estimated at Rs 1,556 crore, but due to prolonged delays, the cost has now increased substantially. “The project is running four to five years behind schedule and its estimated cost has gone up by around Rs 1,000 crore,” he said.
Agnihotri added that since the project cost is to be shared between the Centre and the state in an 80:20 ratio, the status report has been forwarded to the Union government. “We will proceed further as per the guidelines issued by the Centre,” he said.
Addressing concerns over the bidding process, the Transport Minister clarified that receiving a single bid was not an obstacle. “In ropeway projects, single bids are acceptable,” he stated.
Despite delays and cost overruns, officials associated with the project maintain that it remains on track. A senior official of the Ropeway and Rapid Transport System Development Corporation (RTDC), the nodal agency for implementation, said discussions with the Centre were underway. “We are in touch with the Centre and are confident of taking the project forward soon,” the official said.
The passenger ropeway project, envisioned as the second-longest passenger ropeway system in the world, aims to significantly ease traffic congestion in Shimla. The 13.79-km-long ropeway will comprise three lines and 15 boarding and de-boarding stations, each equipped with integrated parking facilities.
Proposed stations include Tara Devi, Chakkar Court, Tutikandi parking, New ISBT, 103 Tunnel, railway station, Victory Tunnel, Old Bus Stand, Lakkar Bazaar, IGMC, Sanjauli, Navbahar, Secretariat and the Lift.
