Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib Ropeway Projects Gain Unprecedented Momentum; Final Route Alignment by June 2026
LiDAR and geo-technical surveys completed for Kedarnath corridor; 13-km arduous trek to be covered in just 30 to 40 minutes via cable car.
DEHRADUN — The ambitious Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib ropeway projects are accelerating at a rapid pace, marking a significant leap forward in modernizing pilgrimage infrastructure in Uttarakhand. Following the successful completion of crucial LiDAR surveys and videography for the Kedarnath ropeway, the state government and implementing agencies are now focusing on finalizing the route alignment by June 2026.
According to officials, the geo-technical investigations, including soil and rock testing, have been officially initiated by the executing company. Furthermore, the geo-technical surveys for the construction of the Gaurikund and Sonprayag stations have been successfully completed. The topography survey to identify the safest and most viable route up to the Kedarnath temple has also been concluded, and the alignment for the Sonprayag-Gaurikund-Kedarnath corridor is now ready.
The progress of these mega-projects was reviewed during the second Board of Directors meeting of the Uttarakhand Ropeway Development Limited (URDL), held at the state secretariat on Monday. During the meeting, officials from National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) briefed the board on the comprehensive ground-level preparations.
A major highlight of the meeting was the successful completion of a logistics ‘dry run’. Officials confirmed that a trial transport of heavy containers from Dehradun to Sonprayag has been executed, effectively testing the practical readiness and logistical viability of moving massive infrastructure components to the challenging Himalayan terrain.
Regarding the Hemkund Sahib ropeway project, officials informed the board that the land survey is currently in full swing. While the initial drone survey experienced minor delays due to adverse weather conditions in the high-altitude region, the DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) and LiDAR surveys for the final, most challenging stretch have now been restarted to ensure precise data collection.
Once operational, these ropeway projects are expected to revolutionize the Char Dham and high-altitude pilgrimage experience in the state. The 13-kilometer grueling trek from Gaurikund to the Kedarnath temple, which currently takes pilgrims several hours, will be seamlessly covered in just 30 to 40 minutes. Similarly, the steep and exhausting climb to the high-altitude Hemkund Sahib shrine will be reduced to approximately 45 minutes, providing immense relief to elderly devotees and differently-abled pilgrims.
With the final alignment stamp expected in June 2026, the state government remains committed to executing these projects in a time-bound manner, ensuring eco-friendly and world-class connectivity to Uttarakhand’s most revered spiritual destinations.
