The Himachal Pradesh government is looking to accelerate ropeway development across the state through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and externally aided project (EAP) models, aiming to overcome the high costs associated with building and expanding ropeway infrastructure.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said connecting key tourist destinations through ropeways remains a government priority. He has invited private investors and external agencies to come forward with viable proposals, with Shimla and other major tourist destinations being among the key areas under consideration.
The move follows the earlier cancellation of a proposed Shimla ropeway project, after the tender evaluation indicated that its estimated cost made the project financially challenging. The government is now exploring a PPP structure featuring 30–35-year concession periods to attract private investment and improve the commercial viability of such projects.
The state government has around ₹1,200 crore available and plans to use this funding to leverage additional private capital for ropeway development.
The initiative is expected to strengthen tourism infrastructure and regional connectivity, particularly in hilly and high-traffic destinations. By bringing private and externally supported investment into the sector, Himachal Pradesh aims to expand its ropeway network while creating new opportunities for infrastructure development and improving access to important tourist locations.
