Pune: Ropeway to Ease Access to Sinhagad Fort, Work to Start After Monsoons

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The much-awaited ropeway project on Sinhagad is set to commence after the monsoons, by the end of September.

With all necessary administrative approvals in place, Pune residents will soon enjoy a swift ride to Sinhagad Fort, nestled in the Sahyadri hills. The ropeway will significantly reduce travel time, allowing tourists to reach the fort in just four to five minutes, and alleviating the frequent traffic jams on the ghat road.

The decision to construct the ropeway was made a decade ago, considering the increasing number of tourists and the limitations of the existing ghat road. The project, managed by Shivai Krishna Rope-way agency, faced delays due to administrative hurdles and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the lack of village status for Atkarwadi, the designated site for the project, posed a significant challenge. However, with the intervention of the revenue department and subsequent approvals from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) and the forest department last year, the project is now ready to proceed.

Why a Ropeway?

The ropeway is expected to enhance the tourism experience at Sinhagad, a popular day-trip destination near Pune, attracting about 15,000 tourists during monsoon holidays.

Key benefits include:

Reduced vehicular traffic on the ghat road, leading to less air and noise pollution.
Easier and faster access to the fort, particularly during peak tourist seasons.
Increased employment and income opportunities for local residents.

Details of the Ropeway Project:

Start Point: Atkarwadi.
End Point: Next to Doordarshan Tower at Sinhagad.
Length: 1,100 meters from base to top, covering a total distance of 1.8 km.
Travel Time: Four to five minutes.
Capacity: Approximately 1,000 tourists per hour.
Carriages: 32 trolleys planned.

Work on the ropeway was initially expected to start before the coronavirus outbreak but faced delays due to administrative restrictions. With heavy rainfall in the Sinhagad area, construction will begin post-monsoon, aiming for the ropeway to be operational within one to one and a half years.