Girnar ropeway

2022-06-21T00:11:58Z

100.36.26.195:

{{Infobox aerial lift line

| line_color = 
| name = Girnar ropeway
| image = Girnar Ropeway.jpg
| image_size =
| alt = 
| caption = Girnar and city view from ropeway
| image_map =
| image_map_size =
| image_map_alt =
| image_map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Gujarat
| pushpin_relief = 
| pushpin_map_size = 
| pushpin_label =
| pushpin_map_alt = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 

| alt_name = Girnar Udankhatola
| status =
| character = Recreational
| system = 
| line_no = 
| location = Bhavnath Taleti, [[Junagadh]]
| country = India
| coordinates = {{Coord|display=it}}
| start = Bhavnath Taleti
| end = Ambaji Temple
| elev_low = 168m
| elev_high = 1066m
| cont_from = 
| cont_as = 
| connect_lines = 
| no_stations = 2
| services = [[Junagadh]], [[Gujarat]]
| built_by = Usha Breco Limited
| constr_cost = {{INRConvert|130|c}}<ref name="toiopen"/>
| begin = September 2018
| open = {{start date and age|2020|10|24|df=y}}
| last_ext = 
| close = 
| reopen = 
| website = {{URL|https://udankhatola.com}}

| owner = Usha Breco Limited
| operator = Usha Breco Limited
| no_carriers = 25
| carrier_cap = 8 passengers
| ridership = 8000 daily
| operating_times = 
| trips_daily =
| headway = 
| trip_duration = 7.43 minutes
| fare = {{INRConvert|700}} (normal)<br>{{INRConvert|400}} (concessional)<ref name="toiopen"/>
| operating_time = 

| lift_type = MGD
| manufactured_by = [[Doppelmayr Garaventa Group]]
| line_length = {{convert|2126.40|m|foot}}
| no_towers = 9<ref name="toiopen"/>
| no_cables = 1
| cable_diameter = 50 mm
| inst_power = 1000 kVA
| speed = 6 m/s
| notes = 
| vertical = {{convert|900|m|foot}}<ref name="toiopen"/>
| max_gradient =
| map = {{Infobox mapframe |wikidata=yes |marker=aerialway}}
| map_state =
| map_name = Girnar ropeway
}}
{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-width=180|id=Q94724366|type=line|zoom=12|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#00933C|text=Girnar ropeway}}
'''Girnar ropeway''' is a [[Aerial tramway|ropeway]] on Mount [[Girnar]] in [[Junagadh district]], [[Gujarat]], India. It is Asia's second longest ropeway. (The longest is in the Genting Highlands, Malaysia.) First proposed in 1983, the construction started only in September 2018 due to government approval delays and litigation. The construction and operation is managed by Usha Breco Limited. It was inaugurated on 24 October 2020.

==History==
Mount Girnar is a major pilgrim site because of presence of the [[Durga|Amba]] temple, the [[Dattatreya]] shrine, and many Hindu temples as well as [[Girnar Jain temples|several Jain temples]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Rajkot: 33-year-long wait over, Girnar ropeway project gets green nod|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/rajkot-33-year-long-wait-over-girnar-ropeway-project-gets-green-nod-3035333/|date=2016-09-17|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref>

The project was first proposed by the [[Gujarat Tourism|Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited]] (TCGL) in 1983 which suggested the diversion of about {{convert|9.1|hectare|acre}} of forest land. The Government of Gujarat finalised diversion of {{convert|7.29|hectare|acre}} of forest land in 1994 and the compensatory forest land was granted near Toraniya village. The Government of India also permitted in 1995.<ref name=":0" />

The project was delayed when the palanquin-bearers, who carried pilgrims up the mount, opposed the project and petitioned the [[Gujarat High Court]] regarding their livelihood. The petition was dismissed after the company constructing the ropeway, Usha Breco Limited, agreed for compensatory livelihood.<ref name=":0" /> As of 2020, total 104 shops for palanquin-bearers who were affected by the project, are being constructed in the parking lot of the lower terminal.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2020-08-02|title=Junagadh: Palanquin-bearers at Mount Girnar to get 104 shops|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/junagadh-palanquin-bearers-at-mount-girnar-to-get-104-shops-6536206/|access-date=2020-08-12|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> After objections from the environmental activists, the construction was further stopped in 1999.<ref name=":0" />

The work resumed in 2002 after sorting the objections and the land was acquired in 2007. Then state Chief Minister [[Narendra Modi]] laid the foundation stone. As the project was located within the [[Gir National Park|Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park]], the wildlife clearance was granted by the [[National Board for Wildlife]] in 2011 while the environmental clearance was granted by the [[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]] of India in 2016.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Six conditions imposed for Girnar ropeway project’s approval|url=https://www.deshgujarat.com/2011/02/07/six-conditions-imposed-for-final-approval-of-girnar-ropeway-project/|date=2011-02-07|website=DeshGujarat|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Travel News - Usha Breco’s Girnar Ropeway project gets approval {{!}} TravelBiz Monitor|url=http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/Ministry/usha-brecos-girnar-ropeway-project-gets-approval-13321|website=www.travelbizmonitor.com|access-date=2020-05-13}}{{Dead link|date=March 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Dave|first=Vimukt|date=2011-05-05|title=Girnar ropeway design will be made in Austria|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/girnar-ropeway-design-will-be-made-in-austria-111050500075_1.html|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref>

The proposed alignment of the ropeway was considered a risk to local endangered [[Indian vulture|long-billed vultures]]. A [[Public interest litigation in India|Public Interest Litigation]] regarding it was filed in 2017 and was dismissed by the Gujarat High Court in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PIL against permission for Girnar ropeway|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/pil-against-permission-for-girnar-ropeway/articleshow/61953817.cms|date=2017-12-07|website=The Times of India|access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Gujarat HC junks PIL seeking scrapping of ropeway project|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/gujarat-hc-junks-pil-seeking-scrapping-of-ropeway-project/1737922|website=Outlook|access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref>

The construction was restarted in September 2018.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=2020-10-10|title=Soon, you can zoom to Mount Girnar in 7.43 mins|url=https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/others/soon-you-can-zoom-to-mount-girnar-in-7-43-mins-asias-biggest-ropeway-project-is-in-final-stages/articleshow/78592180.cms|access-date=2020-10-17|website=Ahmedabad Mirror|language=en}}</ref> The project was projected to open in May 2020 but was further delayed due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-03-01|title=ગીરનાર રોપ-વે પ્રોજેક્ટનું મે ના અંતમાં વડાપ્રધાન નરેન્દ્ર મોદી લોકાર્પણ કરશે|url=https://www.navgujaratsamay.com/prime-minister-narendra-modi-will-launch-the-girnar-ropeway-project-in-late-may/170959.html|access-date=2020-06-11|website=NavGujarat Samay|language=gu|archive-date=2020-06-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611074508/https://www.navgujaratsamay.com/prime-minister-narendra-modi-will-launch-the-girnar-ropeway-project-in-late-may/170959.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=ગિરનાર રોપ-વેની કામગીરી સજ્જડ બંધ|url=https://gujaratmirror.in/gujarat/saurashtra/junagadh/gujarat-mirror-gujarat/saurashtra/junagadh-111772/|date=2020-04-09|website=Gujarat Mirror|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-19}}{{Dead link|date=March 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Trial runs were carried out in September 2020 and the construction was completed on 17 October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-21|title=Trial run of Girnar ropeway takes off|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/trial-run-of-girnar-ropeway-takes-off/articleshow/78222804.cms|access-date=2020-10-17|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=2020-10-09|title=Gujarat: Girnar ropeway may unveil on November 9|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/girnar-ropeway-may-unveil-on-november-9/articleshow/78561949.cms|access-date=2020-10-17|website=The Times of India}}</ref> The project was inaugurated on 24 October 2020 by now Prime Minister Narendra Modi.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dave|first=Kapil|date=2020-10-15|title=PM Narendra Modi to launch 3 projects in Gujarat via video|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/pm-to-launch-3-projects-in-state-via-video/articleshow/78670709.cms|access-date=2020-10-17|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-24|title=VIDEO: Girnar Ropeway to be inaugurated by PM Modi today|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/video/news/girnar-ropeway-to-be-inaugurated-by-pm-modi-today-659457|access-date=2020-10-24|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en}}</ref>

== Technical features ==
The ropeway is {{convert|2320|m|foot}} long, Asia's longest.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=ગિરનાર રોપ વે : રોમાંચક પ્રોજેક્ટના નવા રૂપરંગ|url=http://sandesh.com/%e0%aa%97%e0%aa%bf%e0%aa%b0%e0%aa%a8%e0%aa%be%e0%aa%b0-%e0%aa%b0%e0%ab%8b%e0%aa%aa-%e0%aa%b5%e0%ab%87-%e0%aa%b0%e0%ab%8b%e0%aa%ae%e0%aa%be%e0%aa%82%e0%aa%9a%e0%aa%95-%e0%aa%aa%e0%ab%8d%e0%aa%b0/|access-date=2020-05-13|website=sandesh.com|language=gu}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=એશિયાના સૌથી મોટા રોપવે પ્રોજેક્ટની કામગીરી પૂરજોશમાં શરૂ, હેલીકૉપટરથી કામ શરૂ|url=https://zeenews.india.com/gujarati/gujarat/start-the-operation-of-asias-largest-ropeway-project-in-junagadh-35221|date=2019-02-02|website=Zee News Gujarati|language=en|access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=ક્યારે શરૂ થશે ગિરનાર રોપ-વે? પ્રોજેક્ટની રસ પડે એવી તમામ વિગતો એક ક્લિક પર|url=https://zeenews.india.com/gujarati/gujarat/important-detail-of-girnar-ropeway-project-1605|date=2018-01-04|website=Zee News Gujarati|language=en|access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref> It was constructed at the cost of {{INRConvert|130|c|year=2019}} which included the construction of the lower and upper terminals as well as nine poles supporting the rope.<ref name="toiopen">{{cite news|date=2020-10-23|title=2.3 km-long Girnar ropeway to facilitate 5-6 lakh people every year|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.|agency=Times News Network|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/2-3km-long-girnar-ropeway-to-facilitate-5-6-lakh-people-every-year/articleshow/78815138.cms}}</ref> It operates mono-cable [[Gondola lift|gondola]] detachable type lifts.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Bhindora|first=Arjun|last2=Pansheriya|first2=Dhruv|date=August 2018|title=Disaster Management Plan for Girnar Ropeway as per Environmental Setting at Mount Girnar|url=https://www.ijeas.org/download_data/IJEAS0508018.pdf|journal=International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences (IJEAS)|volume=5|issue=8|pages=60-63|ISSN=2394-3661}}</ref> It takes passengers {{convert|850|m|foot}} above the hill to the Amba temple. It has 25 [[Aerial lift|trolleys]] with capacity of eight passengers each. It can carry 1000 passengers per hour but operates at capacity of 800 passengers per hour and 8000 per day.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=ગિરનાર પર ચડવું થશે સરળ, દેશના સૌથી લાંબા ગિરનારના રોપ-વે પ્રોજેક્ટનું કામ પૂરજોશમાં {{!}} Vtv Reality Check junagadh ropeway operations|url=https://www.vtvgujarati.com/news-details/vtv-reality-check-junagadh-ropeway-operations|website=www.vtvgujarati.com|access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=ગિરનાર રોપવે પ્રોજેક્ટની કામગીરી પુરજોશમાં શરૂ {{!}} DD News|url=https://ddnewsgujarati.com/gujarat/%E0%AA%97%E0%AA%BF%E0%AA%B0%E0%AA%A8%E0%AA%BE%E0%AA%B0-%E0%AA%B0%E0%AB%8B%E0%AA%AA%E0%AA%B5%E0%AB%87-%E0%AA%AA%E0%AB%8D%E0%AA%B0%E0%AB%8B%E0%AA%9C%E0%AB%87%E0%AA%95%E0%AB%8D%E0%AA%9F%E0%AA%A8%E0%AB%80-%E0%AA%95%E0%AA%BE%E0%AA%AE%E0%AA%97%E0%AB%80%E0%AA%B0%E0%AB%80-%E0%AA%AA%E0%AB%81%E0%AA%B0%E0%AA%9C%E0%AB%8B%E0%AA%B6%E0%AA%AE%E0%AA%BE%E0%AA%82-%E0%AA%B6%E0%AA%B0%E0%AB%82|website=ddnewsgujarati.com|access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref> The trip takes 7.43 minutes.<ref name=":4" />

==See also==
* [[Aerial lift in India]]
* [[Pavagadh ropeway]]
* [[Ambaji ropeway]]
* [[Saputara ropeway]]
{{commonscat}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Gujarat}}

[[Category:2020 establishments in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Transport in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Aerial tramways in India]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Junagadh]]
[[Category:Transport infrastructure completed in 2020]]

IndianPedia - User contributions [en]

Girnar ropeway