NAVNEET DUBEY
JAMMU: After stiff resistance from locals over construction of a ropeway between Katra town and Sanjichhat, the key project has achieved around 54% physical progress.
The construction was delayed after locals of Katra launched an agitation in 2025 against the project, claiming ropeway would adversely impact livelihoods of over 60,000 families, particularly hoteliers, shopkeepers, pony operators, pithus and labourers who depend on pilgrimage for daily income.
Because of protests, construction work was completely suspended for a prolonged period, only resuming in April 2026.Now the construction on Rs 250-crore ropeway project aiming to connect Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat along Mata Vaishno Devi shrine track in Katra has restarted.
Although the project has been delayed past its Scheduled Commercial Operations Date (SCOD) of August 16, 2027, it is expected to receive an official Extension of Time (EOT) due to disruptions.
As per evaluation by CRISIL rating on GR TarakoteSanjichhat Ropeway Private Limited dated September 24, the project which will cut travel time from six hours down to six minutes is achieving 54% physical progress as of August 2026, primarily driven by material procurement, supply activities and site mobilisation.
The Rs 250-crore project is being developed under Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) / Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) model with a concession period of 33 years.
The construction company has applied for EOT. While approval of final EOT from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB/authority) is pending and continues to be monitorable.
Notably, the project achieved its first milestone of 25% physical progress on May 6, 2025, significantly ahead of stipulated milestone date of October 15, 2025.Company has secured most of requisite approvals. Tree-cutting activities are underway and were around 23% complete as of August 2026. Furthermore, around 90% of right-of-way (RoW) is available.
Ropeway is strategically located and connects Tarakote to Sanjichhat. Currently, there are limited connectivity options, with pilgrims undertaking a trek of 12 km from base camp at Katra by walking or using ponies and palkies.
Average traffic between fiscals 2015 and 2025, excluding fiscals 2020 and 2021 owing to Covid-19-related disruptions, was 85 lakh, providing healthy traffic visibility. While pilgrim traffic declined to 71 lakh in fiscal 2026, same was largely attributable to one-off events, including the Pahalgam terror attack and a major landslide.
The 1,272-metre ropeway will have carrying capacity of 1,000 persons per hour per direction and is expected to significantly reduce travel time and hardship for pilgrims, especially elderly and differently-abled. It will also help in crowd management on existing track and provide faster access to Bhawan during peak season and emergencies.
