FCC

Are Ropeways Safe?

2024-01-25

Soaring over treetops, cable cars or ropeways offer a captivating bird’s eye view of the enthralling landscape. Over the years, they have proved to be sustainable and time-saving modes of transport that connect some of the most remote regions of the country, especially in mountains.

India embarked on the passenger ropeway journey in the 1960s. Since then, the ropeway segment has expanded and come up at many tourist and religious locations. A ropeway trip for many is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but for builders, it is a responsibility as every single hitch needs to be taken into consideration to ensure passenger safety. There have been instances and concerns have been raised over its safety standards. Recently, following the rescue operations in Jharkhand's Trikut hills after cable cars collided midair, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) highlighted the need for standard operating procedures (SoPs) to be adopted while operating ropeways to prevent such instances.