Himachal Government to get new report on Naina Devi ropeway

Shimla, February 22

The government is getting a new report prepared to ensure that the take-off point of the much-delayed Naina Devi-Anandpur Sahib aerial ropeway is located in Himachal. Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani said this while replying to a question of Pachhad MLA Reena Kashyap on the setting up of aerial ropeways in the Vidhan Sabha today. “Considering the problems being faced in setting up the project with Punjab, we are getting a new report prepared from the consultant so that the work can be started at the earliest,” he added.

The Virbhadra Singh government had cancelled an MoU signed by the Prem Kumar Dhumal government for the Naina Devi-Anandpur Sahib aerial ropeway, terming it lopsided in favour of Punjab. Dharmani said, “Since Punjab is laying down a number of conditions for the project, it has been decided that Himachal will set it up on its own with the take-off point in our territory.”

The minister informed the House that 21 ropeway projects had been submitted to the Centre for funding under the Parvatmala Pariyojana. “We have also proposed to set up six ropeways in the PPP mode, including one with NABARD funding and another in Shimla with external funding,” he said.

Dharmani said that the government had a plan to set up an aerial ropeway between Habban and Churdhar in the Pachhad constituency of Sirmaur district.