Covid delays inauguration of Dharamsala-McLeodganj ropeway

Tribune News Service

Lalit Mohan

Dharamsala, January 16

The ropeway project that will connect Dharamsala with McLeodganj has been completed but is awaiting inauguration. It was built by Dharamsala Ropeways Company, a joint venture of Tata Infrastructure Company and a state firm. The project has been completed at about Rs 200 crore.

Sources said the inauguration of the project was to be done by CM Jai Ram Thakur but was being delayed due to the third wave of Covid infections.

Though the project has been completed, its viability remains a concern for the company. The major concern is lack of parking space at the takeoff point. Sources in the company, talking to The Tribune, said there was a parking for about 50 cars near the takeoff point which was not enough.

The MC recently got permission from the Forest Department to construct a multi-level parking. The MC had floated a tender of Rs 23.55 crore for the parking. The six-level parking would be constructed on 7,028 square metre. The parking would have a basement, six floors and an open terrace, having facility to park 302 cars and 125 two-wheelers. Though the tenders have been floated, it would take another two years before the parking was constructed, the sources said.

The construction of a parking near the bus stand was also a part of the MoU between Dharamsala Ropeways Company and the government. The parking was vital for the viability of the project. The takeoff point area had very little space. The company had been stressing the government to provide a parking as per the MoU.

Kangra DC Nipun Jindal said the work on the construction of a multi-level parking would start soon. The ropeway will also become functional soon, he said. During the peak tourist season, a proposal to restrict the entry of buses and mini buses to McLeodganj could be mooted, said officials.

Tender for parking floated

• The MC had floated a tender of Rs23.55 crore for the parking
• The six-level parking will be cover 7,028 square metres
• It will have a basement, six floors and an open terrace, having facility to park 302 cars and 125 two-wheelers
• Though the tenders have been floated, it will take another two years before the parking was constructed

Work to start soon

The work on the construction of a multi-level parking will start soon. The ropeway will also become functional soon. Nipun Jindal, DC

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