New Delhi, Jan 23 (UNI) The Central Government has planned to implement over 200 projects worth Rs 1.25 lakh crore in the next five years under its National Ropeways Development Programme ‘Parvatmala Pariyojana’, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday.
Addressing the Ropeway Symposium event here, the Minister said, “More than 200 projects with a total cost of Rs 1.25 lakh crore have been identified for the coming five years under Parvatmala Pariyojana.”
The minister emphasised the need to make ropeways economically viable by reducing overall project costs and encouraging Public-Private Partnerships for the development of the ropeway network in the country.
Apart from facilitating tourism in the hilly areas, the ropeway offers huge potential in urban public transport as well, he said.
The focus should be on developing indigenous and cost-efficient solutions without compromising safety, he told investors adding, “Ropeways hold immense potential to positively impact tourism and job creation in the country.”
India is on its path to becoming a 5 trillion-dollar economy, he said highlighting, “Our economy stands at 5th position, and we aim to reach 3rd position.”
He further outlined that the government’s focus is on time-bound, cost-efficient, qualitative and sustainable infrastructure development and the creation of ‘world-class’ infrastructure, ‘ease of living’ of citizens and socio-economic development in the region.
“Our priority is to bring standardisation of existing policies & codes and transform the ropeway industry by encouraging the manufacturing of ropeway components under the “Make in India” initiative,” the Minister said.
Underlining the government’s support, Gadkari noted that 60% of construction support is provided under Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM for Ropeways), compared to 40% support provided under national highways to attract more private players for the development of ropeways under Parvatmala Pariyojana.
