Himachal Pradesh scrapped Palchan-Rohtang Ropeway Project

Himachal Pradesh scrapped Palchan-Rohtang Ropeway Project  

Himachal Pradesh cabinet on 4 September 2013 decided to cancel construction of Palchan-Rohtang ropeway project in Kullu district. The proposed project was planned to transport around 9000 visitors between Palchan and Rohtang daily to decongest the Manali-Leh road. There is a huge rush of tourists between May and July every year.

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The proposed ropeway project is 9-km-long. It will connect Palchan village with the 13050-feet-high Rohtang Pass.The ropeway project was scrapped following objection from taxi operators who were wary of losing business if the proposed ropeway till Rohtang Pass was constructed. The cabinet decided to cancel the project to safeguard the interests of taxi operators and others in the area. The ropeway project could destroy employment of thousands of people engaged in tourism activities.

However, heavy influx of vehicles is causing environment pollution at Rohtang, resulting in the damage to the fragile ecology.National Environmental Engineering Regional Institute (NEERI) had submitted to Himachal Pradesh high court a report in which it had recommended building a ropeway for better tourism management in the area.