11.4.17

Shimla gets its first ropeway


The tourist town of Shimla got its first ropeway as chief minister Virbhadra Singh inaugurated the Rs.40-crore Jakhu ropeway project. Now one can reach the Jakhu temple from the Ridge in around five minutes.

Till now, one had to either walk up a steep climb of about 40 minutes to an hour to reach the temple from the Ridge or take a taxi ride. While one side fare of the ropeway for adults has been fixed at Rs.300, the charge would be Rs.550 for a round trip. The fare for children would be Rs.250 for one side and Rs.450 for both sides.

In July 2007, Virbhadra had laid the foundation stone of this project. It took 10 years for the project to complete as it got mired in mutliple issues, including certain environmental reasons and forest clearances.

Constructed by Jagsons International Limited, the project would facilitate visitors a smooth ride to the famous Hanuman temple at Jakhu. Built on public private partnership model, the company will give Rs.57 lakh as dividend via tourism department to the government in its first year and 15% of the collection money every year thereafter .

All the cabins and ropes were imported from Switzerland and one cable car costs around Rs.15 lakh.

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