- By Yashashvi Tak
- Sun, 21 Sep 2025 10:35 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Dehradun-Mussoorie ropeway construction work is expected to resume soon, senior officials said on Saturday. The project had been temporarily halted after heavy rainfall on September 15 caused significant damage at the site. The project has made progress, with construction of two floors of the lower terminal at Purkul already completed. Officials stated that once the monsoon rains subside, the workforce will be scaled up to accelerate construction, with the goal of completing the project by 2026.
According to officials, the lower terminal station at Purkul was buried under debris, while scaffolding and several pillars erected for duct construction were washed away. Additionally, the access road to settlements located above the Purkul terminal sustained serious damage.
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Deepak Khanduri, director (Infrastructure), Uttarakhand Tourism, said, “Despite the setback, the construction firm has begun clearing the debris and work is expected to resume soon. The access road built by PMGSY authorities on tourism department land is being returned as it delayed ropeway construction. The PWD, which has been assigned the task of building an alternate route, has not started work yet, causing further delays.”
Dehradun-Mussoorie Ropeway: Cost And Launch Date
Scheduled to begin operations in September 2026, the 5.2-kilometre monocable detachable gondola system will climb 1,000 metres in elevation, linking Dehradun with Mussoorie. Once operational, the ropeway will reduce travel time between the two destinations to just 20 minutes, compared to the current 2-hour journey along the 33-kilometre road route.
Dehradun-Mussoorie Ropeway: Safety Features
The Dehradun-Mussoorie ropeway project will feature 10-seater diamond cabins, offering a comfortable, scenic, and fully electric ride designed to operate year-round. With a first-of-its-kind capacity to transport 1,300 passengers per hour in each direction, the system aims to ease road congestion and improve connectivity between the two cities. Built to European safety standards, the waterproof gondola system will also include components manufactured in India, supporting domestic industry and creating new job opportunities.
Dehradun-Mussoorie Ropeway: Travel Time
Once completed, the ropeway will cut travel time between Dehradun and Mussoorie to just 15 minutes. Currently, the 33-kilometre journey takes anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours by road, depending on traffic and weather conditions. Notably, this will be the first ropeway in the country designed to serve both as a tourism attraction and a mode of urban mobility connecting two cities within the same state.
Yamunotri Ropeway Project
The FIL Group is also undertaking the construction of the 3.8-kilometre-long Yamunotri ropeway project, situated at an altitude of 10,797 feet. Being developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, this ropeway will provide easier access to Yamunotri Dham, one of the four sacred sites in the Char Dham Yatra, which also includes Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Badrinath.