Bids invited for ropeway from Kullu to Peej paragliding site

Ropeway and Rapid Transport System Development Corporation (RTDC) HP Ltd has invited bids for a ropeway from the bus station at Sarwari in Kullu town to the Peej paragliding site. The 1.2-km-long ropeway will be installed at a cost of Rs 80 crore in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

The installation of a ropeway through the middle of the town will encourage tourism activities in the untouched pristine destination. Three runways have been built for paragliders there and it has become a major attraction for adventure seekers.

There is an ancient temple of Jamdagni Rishi at Peej. Scores of devotees visit the temple to pay reverence to the deity. The promotion of the area and the development of the paragliding site has generated employment opportunities for the local community.

Tourists will also have the option to visit nearby Kaisdhar, a destination being developed for eco-tourism. The visitors can also enjoy e-cart rides on the 7-km-long bridle path from Peej to eco trails in Kaisdhar. The Eco Tourism Society has earmarked Kaisdhar to be developed as an ecotourism site by a private company.

The state government is promoting eco-tourism so that untouched tourist places are developed without disturbing nature. There will be no tampering with the natural beauty of the sites and tourists can also witness the mesmerising scenery here. This will create new employment opportunities while conserving the forest wealth.

In other developments, the way for the construction of the Bijli Mahadev ropeway is now clear. National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) has deposited Rs 5 crore which includes Compensatory Afforestation (CA), net present value (NPV) and the price of 80 trees, including 70 deodar and 10 pine, trees to be axed for ropeway construction. The machinery of the project had arrived in the Base Station at Pirdi near Kullu in September last year. The work would start after the final approval from the Forest Department.

The tourism beneficiaries of Kullu and Bhuntar towns have faced financial challenges due to a drop in tourist footfall as the new four-lane national highway bypasses the towns, with most visitors heading directly to Manali. However, local tourism stakeholders have expressed their appreciation of the efforts of Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur to revitalise the region’s economy and boost tourism.