Ropeway in Shimla Gets Green Nod, Baralacha Tunnel Promises Year-Round Connectivity
Shimla is set to take a big leap in sustainable transport. Dr. Sikander Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP and BJP State General Secretary, recently raised questions in Parliament about the ambitious 13.79-kilometer ropeway project being built at a cost of ₹1,734.70 crore. His queries focused on whether the project had cleared environmental hurdles and if it aligned with the state’s Green Himachal Vision.
Responding to this, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirt Vardhan Singh, confirmed that the Central Government granted Stage-1 approval on October 7, 2025, under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The clearance allows 6.109 hectares of forest land to be converted for the ropeway, lifts, and escalators project in Shimla.
The Minister highlighted that ropeways are a low-carbon mode of transport, designed to cut down traffic congestion and pollution while consuming less energy and disturbing less land compared to traditional roads. Mitigation measures such as compensatory afforestation, soil and moisture conservation, and payment of Net Present Value (NPV) have also been mandated. The state government is leading the project and has promised employment opportunities for youth during both construction and operation.
In another development, Dr. Sikander Kumar met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, to discuss the Baralacha Jot Tunnel in Kinnaur district. Officials confirmed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared, and Gadkari assured that construction will begin soon.
The tunnel is expected to transform connectivity in the Kinnaur-Lahaul region, ensuring year-round transport, strengthening the Indian Army’s strategic presence, and addressing long-standing challenges faced by locals. Beyond infrastructure, the project carries immense significance for border development and national security.
