Parvatmala Scheme 2026, also known as the National Ropeways Development Programme, is being rolled out in hilly areas such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East region. The scheme is a central government project launched in the Union Budget 2022-23 to build a modern ropeway network on the mountains.
Parvatmala scheme will create a modern system of transportation and connectivity on the mountains. It will also strengthen the border villages of the country, which need to be vibrant and which is also required for the safety of the country. National Ropeways Development Programme, namely Parvatmala, is being taken up on PPP mode.
About Parvatmala Scheme
Parvatmala is the National Ropeways Development Programme, launched by the Government of India in the Union Budget 2022-23. The scheme is implemented by the National Highways and Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The aim is to build over 250 ropeway projects covering about 1,200 km within five years.
Ropeways are a safe, cost-effective and eco-friendly way to connect difficult hilly areas. They need very little ground construction, which keeps land costs low. The scheme also covers congested urban areas where a conventional mass transit system is not possible.
Under the scheme, at least 50% of the components used in ropeway construction must be made in India. The projects are run on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, with the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model used for the main projects.
Key Projects Under Parvatmala
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved two major ropeway projects in Uttarakhand under the Parvatmala Pariyojana. The 12.4 km Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji ropeway is being built at a cost of ₹2,730.13 crore, while the 12.9 km Sonprayag to Kedarnath ropeway is sanctioned at ₹4,081.28 crore.
The Sonprayag to Kedarnath ropeway will use Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology with a capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour per direction. It will cut the travel time from 8 to 9 hours to just 36 minutes, giving safe and all-weather connectivity for Kedarnath pilgrims. Around 20 lakh people visit Kedarnath every year.
The Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji ropeway will replace a challenging 21 km trek with a modern transport system. It will carry up to 11,000 passengers daily and connect the shrine at 15,000 ft, which is visited by 1.5 to 2 lakh pilgrims every year.
India's first urban ropeway is also under construction in Varanasi. The 3.85 km stretch from Varanasi Cantt will feature 148 gondola cabins and can carry up to 96,000 passengers a day, helping to ease congestion on the city's busy roads.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Parvatmala Scheme (National Ropeways Development Programme) |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launched In | Union Budget 2022-23 |
| Main Department | NHLML, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways |
| Beneficiaries | People in hilly areas, pilgrims and tourists |
| Mode | PPP mode |
| Official Website | nhlml.org |
Benefits of Parvatmala Scheme
Parvatmala scheme gives many benefits for people living in remote and hilly areas. Ropeways are a safe and low-cost way to move people and goods in difficult terrain.
- Better connectivity: Ropeways give last-mile connectivity to remote villages and the mountains, cutting long travel times.
- Eco-friendly travel: Ropeways have low dust and pollution and need very little ground space, so they are better for the environment than roads.
- Jobs and tourism: The projects help tourism, create jobs in construction and operation, and support local businesses.
Eligibility and Application
Parvatmala is an infrastructure scheme, so there is no direct application form for individual citizens. The ropeway projects are awarded to private companies through a bidding process on PPP mode.
For more details on the scheme and the latest project updates, visit the official website at nhlml.org ropeways page or check the PIB press release on Parvatmala. For other transport and connectivity schemes, see the PM Gati Shakti Yojana details.
FAQ's
Is Parvatmala scheme still running in 2026?
Yes, Parvatmala scheme is still running. Several ropeway projects are under construction or in the bidding stage across states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and Maharashtra.
Who runs the Parvatmala scheme?
Parvatmala scheme is run by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The National Highways and Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) is the agency that implements the projects.
Can citizens apply for Parvatmala scheme?
No, Parvatmala is not a direct benefit scheme. It is an infrastructure project where ropeway projects are awarded to private companies through bidding on PPP mode.