Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Madhya Pradesh Government’s project for building ropeways at five popular tourist destinations in the state is partially on hold as Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is yet to give its consent for construction of ropeways at two of these places.
Of the five places - Bhojpur Temple, Raisen Fort, Salkanpur, Omkareshwar and Janapav- the first two are under the guardianship of the ASI. The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904 says that no construction can be done within a stipulated distance around ASI-protected monuments without permission of the body.
The government is building ropeways at the five tourist destinations to promote religious tourism. The ropeways will be operated in PPP mode by the companies to which they will be leased out for a period of 30 years.
MP Tourism Board (MPTB) is implementing the project, the ropeways will be ultra-modern, high-capacity, environment-friendly and high-speed. The total cost of the project is Rs 335 crore and they will become operational over the next two years.
The ropeway to the Bhojpur Temple will be 420 metres long and 12 metres high. To be built at a cost of Rs 80.85 crore, it will have the capacity to carry 950 persons per hour. The famous Lord Shiva Temple at Bhojpur receives around 2,000 tourists every day. The ropeway at Raisen Fort will be 580 metres long and will carry 400 tourists per hour to a height of 127m. It will cost Rs 17.03 crore. Around 300 tourists visit the fort daily.
Additional Managing Director of MP Tourism Board, Bidisha Mukherjee said, "Expression of Interest (EOI) has floated for all the five projects. The process for obtaining permission from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is continuing."
