Kullu: After the Atal tunnel, Rohtang ropeway is all set to become another major tourist attraction in Himachal Pradesh, the model of which is ready, and construction will start soon after getting approval from the Forest Ministry.
The nine-kilometer long ropeway will be constructed using the Private-Public-partnership (PPP) model and will cost Rs 450 crore. It is touted to be completed in three phases on behalf of the company.
At the same time, almost all formalities have been completed for this ambitious ropeway construction by the state government. The company briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had recently come to Solang to inaugurate Atal Tunnel, about the model prepared for the ropeway. Chief Minister Jairam Thakur along with the Prime Minister appreciated this mode.
The starting point will be at the tourist spot called Kothi, from where Gulaba will be built first and then Gulba to Marhi, and about nine kilometers of ropeway will connect Marhi to Rohtang Pass. This new construction will give new wings to the tourism business of Kullu Manali both in summer as well as winter. Tourists will also be able to enjoy snowfall in winter.
This ropeway is speculated to become a center of attraction for Indian as well as foreign tourists. The Rohtang Pass receives about 20 to 25 feet of snowfall every year during winter causing disruption in normal traffic and it could not operate efficiently and this pass remained closed for four months.
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Tourism remained obstructed in Rohtang Pass from December to March. Rohtang ropeway will provide better facilities to tourists and the tourism business will gain momentum.
With the construction of this ropeway, the 50 km distance between Rohtang and Manali will be covered in 45 minutes. After the construction of the ropeway, Rohtang Pass will still remain closed for three months after December, but Madhi, the famous tourist spot which is adjacent to it will remain open for tourists throughout the year.
Tourists will be able to play in the snow and enjoy the adventure activities here.
This ropeway will prove to be a boon in boosting the tourism industry in Manali. Although the Nature Park at Gulaba is also a center of attraction for the tourists, but for the tourists traveling through the ropeway to Rohtang, will be quite a thrilling experience. The Palchan-Rohtang ropeway will cover a distance of nine kilometer on one side.
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Amitabh Sharma, Director of Ski Himalaya, a company that has prepared the model of the ropeway to be constructed in Rohtang Pass, said that this model was appreciated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Jairam Thakur.
All formalities regarding the construction of this ropeway have been completed. Soon after getting permission from the Forest Ministry, the foundation stone will be laid.
