Cabin ropeway to replace chair ropeway at Rajgir

PATNA: A new hi-tech aerial ropeway is likely to greet tourists in Rajgir soon with the state cabinet okaying a Rs 10.84-crore proposal to replace the existing 41-year-old rickety ropeway. The new ropeway would be built by RITES Limited-Gurgaon by 2012.

The existing ropeway has outlived its utility. “It is difficult even to get spare parts for its machines,” an official said and added the new ropeway would run parallel to the existing one which would be accorded the heritage status.

The existing chair-lift aerial ropeway, said to be the oldest in the country, was donated by famous Japanese monk Fuji Guruji. Loknayak Jaya Prakash Narayan was the first to take a ride on this ropeway which is presently one of the biggest revenue-generating units of the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC).

Forest department’s nod is needed to start construction of the new ropeway. “We have applied to the forest and environment department for its clearance,” the official said and added the existing ropeway would remain functional till the commissioning of the new one which would be a mono cable detachable gondola ropeway.

While only one person can sit on one of the chairs of the existing ropeway, the new ropeway would have cabins each of which can accommodate several persons. “Visitors can enjoy the ride along with their family or friends in the cabin,” said Navin Kumar, a senior BSTDC official.

RITES has already made a similar mono cable detachable ropeway at Namchi in Sikkim and another one at Deoghar in Jharkhand.

In 1970s, scenes of Devanand and Hema Malini-starrer Bollywood blockbuster, Jonhy Mera Naam, were shot at the existing Rajgir ropeway which has in its backdrop the picturesque Ratnagiri hills.