The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the construction of a 12.9 km ropeway connecting Sonprayag to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. This project will be implemented under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model, with an estimated capital investment of Rs 40.81 billion. Kedarnath, situated in the Rudraprayag district, is one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas and stands at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,968 feet). The Kedarnath Temple remains open to pilgrims for six to seven months each year, from Akshaya Tritiya (April-May) to Diwali (October-November), attracting approximately 20 lakh devotees per season. The upcoming ropeway, developed through a public-private partnership, will incorporate the advanced Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology. With a design capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour in each direction, the system is expected to accommodate up to 18,000 travellers daily. This initiative aims to enhance connectivity and improve accessibility for the increasing number of visitors to the temple. At present, reaching Kedarnath requires a strenuous 16-km uphill trek from Gaurikund, with pilgrims relying on foot travel, ponies, palanquins, or helicopter services. The introduction of the ropeway will significantly reduce travel time from approximately 8-9 hours to just 36 minutes. This development is expected to provide a safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable transportation option, ensuring year-round accessibility to the revered pilgrimage site. News source: DD News