19 hrs ago
Bengal Plans Kurseong-Darjeeling Ropeway to Ease Tourist Traffic
The government wants to build a cable-car system between Kurseong and Darjeeling.
This is because the road between the two hill towns becomes very crowded.
During busy tourist periods, the road trip can take four or five hours.
The cable car could make the journey in about 45 minutes.
It may stop at four or five stations along the route.
The project could cost around ₹3,000 crore.
Private companies may build and run it for a period before handing it to the government.
The cable cars could also carry food and other important supplies at night.
If this plan works, another ropeway between Kalimpong and Gangtok may be considered.
The Bengal government is planning a ropeway linking Kurseong and Darjeeling to reduce peak-season traffic congestion.
The 32-kilometre road journey can take four to five hours, while the proposed cable-car ride would take about 45 minutes.
The project is estimated to cost approximately ₹3,000 crore and may be developed through the BOOT public-private partnership model.
The ropeway could have four or five stations and transport daily essentials such as food grains and vegetables at night.
The government is also considering a future ropeway connecting Kalimpong and Gangtok if the first project operates successfully.
- Who
- The Bengal government, with possible private-sector partners.
- What
- A proposed ropeway linking Kurseong and Darjeeling, with possible stations and freight operations.
- Where
- Between Kurseong and Darjeeling in north Bengal, with a possible future link between Kalimpong and Gangtok.
- When
- The project is in the planning stage; the government could soon invite private partners.
- Why
- To reduce severe road congestion, shorten travel times, and ease the movement of daily essentials.
Key facts
- Proposed route
- Kurseong to Darjeeling
- Estimated travel time
- About 45 minutes by ropeway
- Current peak-season road time
- Four to five hours for the 32-kilometre stretch
- Estimated cost
- Approximately ₹3,000 crore
- Proposed model
- BOOT (Build Own Operate Transfer)
- Potential stations
- Four or five stations
- Additional proposal
- A possible ropeway connecting Kalimpong and Gangtok
Quotes
Senior state government official
A senior official describing the project's feasibility, financing and proposed construction model.
“A feasibility study has been carried out and the project was found to be viable. The government could soon float an expression of interest from private partners to construct the cable-driven transport system. A sum of about ₹3,000 crore will be required for the project and it will be built in the BOOT (Build Own Operate Transfer) model.”
telegraphindia.com
“In May this year, it took about eight hours to reach Darjeeling from Siliguri by road. We found that travellers had reached Kurseong within two hours from Siliguri, but the rest of the journey took close to six hours because of traffic snarls.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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