The much-publicised cargo ropeway project at Sabarimala is in a limbo as the joint-venture consortium that had taken up the project 17 months ago has not even started groundwork.
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) had signed the agreement with the joint venture consortium of Kolkata-based Damodar Ropeways and Infra Limited and Ahmedabad-based Eighteenth Step Projects Private Limited for the execution the proposed ropeway project - linking the foothills of Pampa with the holy hillock of Sabarimala Sannidhanam - way back in May 2015. According to HPC sources, the ropeway project - to be executed on a built, operate and transfer (BOT) basis - is estimated to cost Rs. 25 crore. However, the project report prepared by the Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) has put its total cost at Rs. 12.03 crore.
As per the agreement, the joint venture consortium will have to design, finance, construct, operate and maintain the material ropeway and facilities in the specified location on a fixed revenue share basis. But the consortium is yet to conduct the environment impact assessment mandatory for obtaining environment clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for starting the work in the reserve forests.
TDB member clarifies
TDB member Ajay Tharayil told The Hindu that HPC should cancel the agreement if the contractor failed to start the work in the next six months, and explore the possibility of a more feasible goods transportation project at Sabarimala.
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) had signed the agreement with the joint venture consortium of Kolkata-based Damodar Ropeways and Infra Limited and Ahmedabad-based Eighteenth Step Projects Private Limited for the execution the proposed ropeway project - linking the foothills of Pampa with the holy hillock of Sabarimala Sannidhanam - way back in May 2015. According to HPC sources, the ropeway project - to be executed on a built, operate and transfer (BOT) basis - is estimated to cost Rs. 25 crore. However, the project report prepared by the Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) has put its total cost at Rs. 12.03 crore.
As per the agreement, the joint venture consortium will have to design, finance, construct, operate and maintain the material ropeway and facilities in the specified location on a fixed revenue share basis. But the consortium is yet to conduct the environment impact assessment mandatory for obtaining environment clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for starting the work in the reserve forests.
TDB member clarifies
TDB member Ajay Tharayil told The Hindu that HPC should cancel the agreement if the contractor failed to start the work in the next six months, and explore the possibility of a more feasible goods transportation project at Sabarimala.