New Ropeway to Connect Railway Station with Temple
The proposed ropeway connecting Kamakhya Railway Station with the revered Maa Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati has taken another step forward, with a fresh tender valued at ₹201.52 crore. National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) has invited bids from private developers to build, operate and maintain the project.
The planned 1.43-kilometre ropeway is intended to make the temple more accessible for pilgrims arriving by train and provide an alternative to road transport on the route to the hilltop shrine.
Journey Time Could Fall to Six Minutes
The proposed ropeway is expected to reduce the journey between the railway station and the temple from around 20 minutes to approximately six minutes, according to an earlier announcement by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.
The plan includes 18 gondolas and is designed to improve passenger movement while helping ease congestion on nearby roads. The project is also expected to support tourism and related local businesses.
Bidding Process and Next Steps
The ropeway will follow a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer model, under which the selected private developer will be responsible for the project’s development and operation under the agreed terms.
Bids can be submitted until December 8, and they are scheduled to open on December 9. The tender notice does not yet confirm when construction will begin or when the ropeway will start carrying passengers.
Once completed, the project could offer pilgrims and other visitors a more convenient way to reach one of Assam’s best-known religious and tourism destinations.
