The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (India) has launched a request for qualification (RFQ) for the Hemkund Ropeway PPP project.

The project involves the development of a aerial passenger ropeway between Ghangaria and Hemkund Sahib. The total length of the proposed system would be about 1830 meters. The Lower Terminal Station (LTP) is proposed near the Valley of Flower National Park Gate and the Upper Terminal Station (UTP) is proposed near the Lakshman Temple. The system involves development of about 12 ropeway towers along the alignment.

The preferred bidder will be responsible for the design, build, finance, operation maintenance and transfer of the new facilities. The concession period will be 30 years including construction period.

The total project investment is estimated at Rs510 million (US$8 million).

Interested parties must submit their qualification documents on or before 11 May 2015.

Hemkund Sahib, is a famous Sikh Gurudwara located at a height of about 15,300 feet and is presently accessible through a 19 km tough a difficult track from Govindghat. As per official statistics, about 500,000 people visit Gurudwara which is open for tourists between June to October, every year. The ropeway system would help in providing fast, safe and convenient travel to the pilgrims to Hemkund Sahib.