Adani Group to Build Ropeway for Kedarnath Pilgrims
In a major boost to religious tourism and pilgrimage infrastructure in Uttarakhand, the Adani Group has announced the construction of a 12.9-kilometre ropeway connecting Sonprayag to Kedarnath Dham. The project, valued at ₹4,081 crore, aims to make the challenging journey to one of India’s most revered shrines significantly easier, faster, and safer for millions of devotees each year.
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani shared the development on Wednesday, expressing pride and reverence for being part of the spiritually significant project. “The difficult climb to Kedarnath Dham will now become easier. The Adani Group is constructing this ropeway to make the pilgrimage simpler and safer,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He added, “It is a matter of pride for us to be a part of this pious endeavour. May Mahadev continue to bestow his grace upon all. Jai Baba Kedarnath!”
Transforming the Kedarnath Pilgrimage
The proposed ropeway will drastically cut down the travel time between Sonprayag and Kedarnath from an exhausting nine-hour trek to a comfortable 36-minute ride. Once completed, the project will have the capacity to carry 1,800 passengers per hour in each direction, allowing lakhs of pilgrims to reach the temple more conveniently.
Developed under the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana, the Kedarnath ropeway will be built on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), a subsidiary of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), has awarded the contract to Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL).
This marks AEL’s first-ever ropeway project, which will be executed by its Roads, Metro, Rail, and Water (RMRW) division. Construction is expected to take around six years, following which Adani Enterprises will operate and maintain the ropeway for 29 years.
A Blend of Faith and Infrastructure
Gautam Adani described the project as “a bridge between devotion and modern infrastructure.” He said, “By making this sacred journey safer, faster, and more accessible, we honour the faith of millions while creating new opportunities for Uttarakhand’s people through our partnership with NHLML and the Government of Uttarakhand.”
The Adani Group emphasized that the ropeway will not only improve pilgrimage accessibility but also boost tourism and employment opportunities in the region. The project is expected to enhance local livelihoods by creating jobs in construction, operations, and tourism-related services.
Uttarakhand, known as the “Devbhoomi” or Land of the Gods, attracts millions of pilgrims each year, especially during the Char Dham Yatra season. The Kedarnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the four sacred shrines in the circuit and is located at an altitude of over 11,000 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas. Given its high-altitude location and rough terrain, the journey has traditionally been difficult, particularly for elderly devotees. The upcoming ropeway promises to make this journey more accessible while reducing the environmental and physical strain on the region.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Apart from easing the travel experience for devotees, the ropeway is expected to stimulate local economies through increased tourist inflow. With improved connectivity, small businesses, hospitality ventures, and local artisans are likely to benefit.
The project will also employ sustainable construction practices, minimizing the environmental footprint in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region. Ropeways are considered an eco-friendly mode of transport, reducing dependency on road travel and minimizing congestion and emissions in fragile hill zones.
Symbol of Modern India’s Devotional Infrastructure
The Kedarnath ropeway project underscores India’s evolving approach toward pilgrimage infrastructure — combining technological innovation with spiritual reverence. It reflects how modern engineering can be seamlessly integrated into traditional faith journeys to enhance accessibility, safety, and sustainability.
Once completed, the ropeway will stand as a symbol of national pride, showcasing India’s commitment to developing world-class infrastructure in alignment with its cultural and spiritual heritage. For the millions who dream of visiting Kedarnath, the project will transform the journey from a test of endurance into an experience of comfort and devotion.
