New Delhi [India], March 5 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday lauded Union Cabinet's decision to approve the construction of ropeway projects to Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib shrines and said that the projects were a gift to the pilgrims to take forward the resolve of 'development as well as heritage.'

In a post on X, Amit Shah wrote, 'Today, Modi ji gave a big gift to the pilgrims of Baba Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib. The Union Cabinet has approved two ropeway projects in Uttarakhand, from 'Sonprayag to Kedarnath' and 'Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib.' This will save the devotees time and make the journey more convenient.'

https://x.com/AmitShah/status/1897278997500977338?t=HAxOfnlz1rg1aVIkMB47hA&s=08

Amit Shah also emphasised that these projects will extend the visiting period for these revered pilgrimage sites, contributing to a boost in tourism and providing employment opportunities for locals.

'These decisions reflect the resolve of 'development as well as heritage,' ensuring progress while preserving our rich cultural and spiritual legacy,' Shah wrote in his post.

'Along with the extension of the time period for visiting these pilgrimage places, tourism and employment will also be promoted. Thanks to Modi ji for these decisions that take forward the resolve of 'development as well as heritage,' wrote the post on X.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday also lauded the Union Cabinet's decisions approving the construction of ropeway projects to Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib shrines and said these initiatives will help devotees complete their journey comfortably in far less time.

He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of 1.25 crore people of the state for the decisions of the Union Cabinet.'I thank PM Modi on behalf of the 1.25 crore people of Uttarakhand. There has been demand for ropeways in Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib for a long time.

After the union cabinet's approval today, these projects will become a reality. The projects will also boost the economy and will make Yatra easier. I thank PM Modi and the entire cabinet,' he said.

The Chief Minister said PM Modi had laid the foundation stone of the projects.

He said the long journey to the two pilgrim sites, which old citizens and those not bodily strong often find difficult, will get easy.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Modi, on Wednesday approved the construction of a 12.9 km ropeway project from Sonprayag to Kedarnath (12.9 km) in Uttarakhand. The project will be developed on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) mode at a total capital cost of Rs. 4,081.28 crore.

The ropeway is planned to be developed in public-private partnership and will be based on the most advanced Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology with a design capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD) and can carry 18,000 passengers per day.

The ropeway project will be a boon to the pilgrims visiting Kedarnath as it would provide an environment-friendly, comfortable and fast connectivity and reduce travel time in one direction from about 8 to 9 hours to about 36 minutes.

An official release said the ropeway project will also generate substantial employment opportunities during construction and operations as well as in allied tourism industries like hospitality, travel, foods & beverages (F&B) and tourism throughout the year.

The CCEA also approved the construction of a 12.4 km ropeway project from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand. The project will be developed on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) mode at a total capital cost of Rs. 2,730.13 crore.

An official release said that the journey to the Hemkund Sahib, at present, is a challenging 21-km uphill trek from Govindghat and is covered on foot or by ponies or palanquins. The proposed ropeway is planned to provide convenience to pilgrims and visitors to the Hemkund Sahib and the tourists visiting the Valley of Flowers and will ensure all-weather last-mile connectivity between Govindghat and Hemkund Sahib.

The release said that the ropeway project will also generate substantial employment opportunities during construction and operations as well as in allied tourism industries like hospitality, travel, foods & beverages (F&B) and tourism throughout the year.

PM Modi had in October 2022 laid the foundation stone of road and ropeway projects worth more than Rs 3400 crore in Mana, Uttarakhand.

In his speech on the occasion, he had mentioned the two proposed ropeways, Kedarnath to Gaurikund and Hemkund ropeway and credited the inspiration and progress to the blessings of Baba Kedarnath, Badri Vishal and Sikh Gurus. The Prime Minister said devotees all over the world will rejoice in this unprecedented initiative.

Meanwhile, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Uttarakhand visit on Thursday, preparations are underway in Harshil and Mukhwa in the Uttarkashi district to welcome PM Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Uttarakhand to promote the Winter Tourism program initiated by the State government this year. (ANI)