Parvatmala Project

In News 

• Recently, the Union Finance Minister announced National Ropeways Development Programme – “Parvatmala” while presenting Union Budget for 2022-23 .

About Parvatmala Project

• The Parvat Mala approach is driven by seven engines like roads, railways, airports, ports, mass transport, waterways and logistics infrastructure. 
  • These engines are complemented by the complementary roles of energy transmission, IT communication, bulk water and sewerage, and social infrastructure.
• It will be taken up on PPP mode .
• It will be a preferred ecologically sustainable alternative in place of conventional roads in difficult hilly areas.
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) will have responsibility for development of ropeway and alternative mobility solutions technology, as well as construction, research, and policy in this area.
  • In February 2021, the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961 was amended, which enabled the MORTH to also look after the development of Ropeways and Alternate Mobility Solutions.

Benefits/Significance

• Ideal for difficult / challenging / sensitive terrain:
  • Long rope spans: The system crosses obstacles like rivers, buildings, ravines, or roads without a problem.
  • Ropes guided over towers: Low space requirements on the ground, and no barrier for humans or animals.

• Economy: 
  • Given that ropeway projects are built in a straight line over a hilly terrain, it also results in lower land acquisition costs. 
• Ropeway having multiple cars propelled by a single power-plant and drive mechanism. 
• This reduces both construction and maintenance costs. The use of a single operator for an entire ropeway is a further saving, in labour cost.

• Environmentally friendly: 
  • Low dust emissions. Material containers can be designed so as to rule out any soiling of the environment.

Source: ANI