Kedarnath Yatra Transformation: Adani to Cut 8-Hour Trek to Just 36 Minutes with New Ropeway
Kedarnath Yatra Transformation: Adani to Cut 8-Hour Trek to Just 36 Minutes with New Ropeway
Chandigarh – In a landmark move set to revolutionize the sacred Kedarnath pilgrimage, Adani Enterprises Ltd. (AEL) has secured the contract to construct a high-capacity ropeway connecting Sonprayag to the holy shrine. The ₹4,081 crore project will dramatically reduce the grueling journey time for millions of devotees, making the yatra safer and more accessible.
Adani Enterprises officially won the bid for the 12.9-kilometer ropeway project in Uttarakhand. The development will be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in collaboration with the National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), marking one of the most significant investments in India’s spiritual tourism infrastructure.
For the approximately 20 lakh pilgrims who visit Kedarnath annually, this project promises a monumental shift in their spiritual journey. The current arduous trek, which takes between 8 to 9 hours through challenging Himalayan terrain, will be transformed into a comfortable and scenic 36-minute ride. The state-of-the-art ropeway is designed to carry about 1,800 pilgrims per hour in each direction, addressing a major logistical challenge for the region.
The project timeline outlines a construction period of six years. Following its completion, Adani Enterprises Ltd. will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the ropeway for a concession period of 29 years.
This ambitious infrastructure project is expected to provide a major boost to tourism in the region, making one of Hinduism’s most revered sites more approachable and mitigating the risks associated with weather and difficult terrain. It represents a fusion of modern engineering with ancient faith, aiming to enhance the overall pilgrimage experience for generations to come.
