Hill ropeway plan: Centre 'awaits' state govt nod

SNS, SILIGURI, 5 MAY 2023 : At proposal for setting up a ropeway under the Parvatmala Scheme, connecting Bijanbari and the town of Darjeeling, is still awaiting consent from the state government, Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, has said.

Responding to a letter, written on 28 January, by Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, who had proposed the ropeway, Mr Gadkari has said: "I have got the matter examined. Your request has already been submitted to the State Government of West Bengal.

The state has been requested to submit its consent to take up the said project as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SoP), issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, to undertake Ropeway/Alternative /Innovative Mobility Projects under Parvatmala Pariyojana."

"Once consent is received from the State Government, further necessary action will be taken," the Union Minister said on 28 April.

It may be noted that following the demand of the local people, Mr Bista had agreed to request Mr Gadkari, as the ropeway connecting Bijanbari and Darjeeling had played a pivotal role in the development of the area since 1939.

"I had informed Nitin Gadkari ji that the Darjeeling Bijanbari Ropeway line, constructed in 1939, had immensely contributed to the growth of Bijanbari as a trading town. The ropeway continued to play a critical role in the redevelopment and progress of the region till the mid-80s when there were no motorable road between Darjeeling town and Bijanbari.

This 8-mile-Iong Ropeway was the only mode of communication and to transport goods to and from Bijanbari and nearby region. However, the ropeway has remained shut down for over two decades now," said Darjeeling MP Raju Bista.

"I had therefore requested Nitin ji to help revive the rope-way under Parvatmala Scheme of the Central Government, and develop it for ferrying both goods and passengers," Mr Bista added.

Having fled to manage the 'green signal' from the State Government, an apparently upset Mr Bista further claimed that the construction of the ropeway line was important not only from the purpose of transportation, but that it also had the potential to contribute immensely towards the development of tourism in the Bijanbari region.

"It will help the farmers to easily transport their agricultural produce to Darjeeling, and help in trade and commerce to flourish in the region," he said.

"This will also be environmentally, friendly, as it will help cut down the travel time between Darjeeling town and Bijanbari by nearly three hours. It will also help in saving fuel, and prevent release of toxic gases in the environment.

Further, it will reduce the overall traffic load in Darjeeling, and will help in decongest in gout streets," he added.

"I am most hopeful that the West Bengal government will positively consider this request, and give their consent for this vital project at the earliest."