National Green Tribunal directs to accelerate Palchang-Rohtang ropeway
Shimla, May 10: As Himachal Pradesh’s amazing environment attracts numerous tourists in Himachal Pradesh. Palchang-Rohtang ropeway is a 2 Km monocable detachable ropeway project with a capacity to carry 1000 passengers per hour per direction. Ropeway always attracts tourists, while so referring to the delay in construction of Palchang-Rohtang ropeway, National Green Tribunal, NGT has stated that the matter is pending before the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and climate change, MOEF&CC should be expedited due to ensuring tourist season and potential harm to the environment.
While hearing the matter on May 6, the principal bench of NGT headed by its chairman Adarsha Kumar Goel observed that the question for consideration was the step for eco-balance in Rohtang.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on 11th September 2017 said he was with those who were opposing the Rohtang ropeway project and the state government would raise an issue with the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The status report has been reviewed and observed that the most critical aspect of the construction of the Rohtang- Palchan ropeway. While reviewing the matter in the light of earlier direction, the tribunal stated that as per report dated on April 9 and May 6 this year in principle approval has been granted by the ministry’s regional office in Dehradun for diversion of forest land for the ropeway project.
The project has been indicated on the subject of setting up and upgradation of an STP at Manali and eco-friendly market in Marhi.
On 26th October 2015, Himachal Pradesh government signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Malana Ropeway Pvt Ltd for the execution of 9-Km long Palchan-Rohtang ropeway to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 390 crore. The company finally tied up with Tata Infrastructure Ltd and formed a joint venture Malana Ropeway Pvt Ltd with whom the MoU will be signed.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), which has imposed restrictions in 2015 on plying of diesel and petrol vehicles to Rohtang, had also suggested that feasibility of constructing ropeway should be explored. There are 2,300 taxi operators, ferrying tourists to Rohtang on a daily basis while the NGT has restricted the number of vehicles to 1,000.
The ropeway will reduce 9km road travel saving 40 % travel time and will be eco-friendly mode. This project is awarded in PPP mode with Concession period for 40 Years from Himachal Pradesh Government. The Project is planned to be operational by the Year 2018.