The Adani Group has been chosen as the preferred bidder for a major ropeway project aimed at improving connectivity to the sacred Shri Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district.
As per reports, Adani Enterprises has proposed a revenue-sharing model of approximately 42% for the project. This means the government will earn from the initiative without any upfront investment, as Adani will share nearly 42% of the revenue with the National Highway Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), the central agency overseeing such infrastructure developments.
Approved by the Union Cabinet in March, the 12.9 km Kedarnath ropeway will be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. It will utilize advanced Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology, ensuring high efficiency with a capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD) and around 18,000 passengers daily.
This project is set to revolutionize pilgrimage travel to Kedarnath, offering an eco-friendly, swift, and comfortable alternative to the current arduous journey. The ropeway will drastically cut travel time from 8-9 hours to just 36 minutes, significantly enhancing the experience for devotees.
Located at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,968 feet), Kedarnath Dham is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlingas in Hinduism. The temple remains accessible for six to seven months annually, from Akshaya Tritiya (April-May) to Diwali (October-November), attracting nearly 20 lakh pilgrims each season. The new ropeway is expected to facilitate smoother and faster access, further boosting pilgrimage tourism in the region.
This initiative marks a significant step in modernizing pilgrimage infrastructure while preserving the spiritual essence of the holy site.