NEW DELHI, Sept 7 � Environment Ministry has given the green signal to the ambitious 1,820-metre-long aerial ropeway across the Brahmaputra river connecting Guwahati and North Guwahati via Umananda Island.
The Rs 28-crore project aims to serve twin objectives of boosting tourism and reducing the travel time between the North and South banks of the river. Currently, the banks can be reached only through road or ferry boat services.
An Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Environment Ministry at a recent meeting cleared the project considering its importance as well noting that no tree cutting is required for the project while safety norms are proposed as per international standard.
�The existing transportation infrastructure connecting the two banks is evidently inadequate. Considering the proposed future growth pattern of the city... Aerial ropeway is proposed to provide connectivity between the two banks,� as per project proponent, Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA).
The GMDA has estimated that approximately 250 passengers can be ferried per hour through the proposed rope-way. It will just take 6 minutes and 46 seconds through the ropeway as compared to one-and-a-half hours by road.
Lower terminals will be at Panbazar area in South Bank while Upper terminal is proposed at Rajaduar village in the Northern bank, both having adequate parking facilities and basic infrastructure. � PTI
