India's longest river ropeway launched in Guwahati city

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The 'Guwahati Passenger Ropeway' across the Brahmaputra – the longest river ropeway in India connecting Kachari Ghat on the south bank of the Brahmaputra with Rajaduwar behind the Doul Govinda Temple on the north bank – was launched on Friday. It took long 11 years to inaugurate the ropeway after the laying of its foundation stone.

The two-km ropeway has two cabins – each with a capacity of 30 commuters and two crew members. However, at present during the corona pandemic each of the two cabins well carry only 15 passengers in each trip. The fare is Rs 60 for one-way journey and Rs 100 for both ways. The duration of the service is from 8 am to 6 pm at present. The ropeway covers the distance now in 8-9 minutes.

The ropeway is under vigil round the clock with 58 CCTV cameras installed. It is stated to be safe as there are rescue cables inside each of the two cabins. The ropeway is of state-of-the-art Swiss technology.

Formally launching the ropeway, State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "This is an auspicious day for Assam. In India, ropeways are only in hill stations. However, we've joined that elite club with this ropeway. This ropeway is set to boost our Tourism sector. I thank GDD (Guwahati Development Department) Minister for making this project see light of the day.

"We're planning to inaugurate the Ganeshguri flyover, which is under construction now, on the Shasthi of Durga Puja. We started it in October 2019. We also hope to inaugurate the flyover at Supermarket in Bohag, before the Assembly election. Works on nine escalator footbridges are underway in Guwahati. We've set the target of February 1, 2021 for the simultaneous inauguration of all these footbridges. Already 25 per cent works of the bridge connecting Bharalumukh and the under construction AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) at Changsari have been completed. Works of AIIMS are also going to be completed by 2021."

State GDD Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya was also present at the inaugural function.

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