Bihar aerial ropeway at Rajgir has become operational after a gap of four months. The ropeway was non-operational since February this year due to a cable snap during the International Buddhist conclave held in Nalanda on February 6-7, 2010. Due to this, Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) faced embarrassment with the sudden breakdown of the ropeway when hundreds of delegates, mostly foreigners, were in Nalanda attending the conclave. BSTDC incurred revenue loss to the tune of Rs 30-40 lakh during the non operational period of the ropeway. According to a report in Times of India, in view of its popular demand, another hi-tech ropeway at Rajgir is being mulled upon. The matter regarding a new hi-tech aerial ropeway is awaiting the forest department's clearance. The ropeway has already outlived its utility. The existing ropeway will continue to be run till the new a monocable detachable gondola ropeway becomes operational. After commissioning of the new ropeway, estimated to cost Rs 8.5 crore, the old ropeway will be given heritage status on the pattern of the famous toy train of Darjeeling. RITES, a Government of India enterprise, has already submitted its Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the proposed ropeway to the Bihar government. RITES provides comprehensive engineering, consultancy and project management services in the transport infrastructure sector. While chairs in the present ropeway can accommodate only one person, the new ropeway will have cabins which would accommodate several people. RITES has already made a similar monocable ropeway at Namchi in Sikkim. The construction of another ropeway with a capacity to carry 500 passengers per hour is currently under development in Trikut Hills in Deoghar (Jharkhand). http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/bihar-aerial-ropeway-becomes-operational-again-10564 |
Wednesday, June 09, 2010