Guwahati, June 28: The government of Assam has commenced the tendering phase for an ambitious ropeway project that will link Kamakhya Railway Station to the renowned Kamakhya Temple. This initiative is a significant part of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's efforts to improve ropeway facilities across the state.

During a press briefing following his visit to the temple on Saturday, Chief Minister Sarma highlighted the substantial advancements made on this project.

“Considerable progress has been achieved on the ropeway connecting Kamakhya Railway Station to the temple. Additionally, another ropeway is planned from Sonaram Field to the temple,” he stated.

The ropeway from the railway station is anticipated to be completed first, with the Sonaram Field route following. “The process took longer than expected due to land acquisition from temple authorities. However, we are now making swift progress, and the project is expected to be finished soon,” he added.

Chief Minister Sarma also mentioned that feasibility studies for various other ropeway projects are currently in progress, including routes at Barak Bhuban Tirtha and Biswanath Umataloni.

“The Central government has expressed significant interest in enhancing ropeway connectivity in the Northeast. These initiatives will not only promote tourism but also improve access to vital religious and cultural landmarks in the region,” he remarked.

With an estimated cost of Rs 201 crore, the 1.43-km ropeway will provide a direct link from the railway station to the Nilachal Hills, greatly facilitating access for pilgrims.

Once operational, it is expected to cut travel time by 55–60% for train passengers. The ropeway will accommodate 1,000 passengers per hour in each direction, with a journey time of around seven minutes. The state government has set a completion target for June 2026.

The National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), responsible for the ropeway's development, has already issued tenders for its design, construction, operation, and maintenance as of June 24.

A senior government official previously informed that the project will significantly expand the open space around the temple—from the current 3,000 sq. feet to nearly 100,000 sq. feet—across three tiers.

The Kamakhya ropeway initiative is part of a larger strategy by the state government to modernize transportation infrastructure while fostering religious and cultural tourism.