New Delhi: Environment Ministry has
given the green signal to the ambitious 1,820-meter long
aerial rope-way across the Brahmaputra river connecting
Guwahati and North Guwahati via Umananda Island in Assam.
The Rs 28-crore project aims to serve twin objectives
of boosting tourism and reducing the travel time between the
North and South banks of the river. Currently, the banks can
be reached only through road or ferry boats services.
An Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the
Environment Ministry at a recent meeting cleared the project
considering its importance as well noting that no tree cutting
is required for the project while safety norms are proposed as
per international standard.
"The existing transportation infrastructure connecting
the two banks is evidently inadequate. Considering the
proposed future growth pattern of the city... aerial rope-way
is proposed to provide connectivity between the two banks," as
per project proponent, Guwahati Metropolitan Development
Authority (GMDA).
The GMDA has estimated that approximately 250
passengers can be ferried per hour through the proposed
rope-way. It will just take 6 minutes and 46 seconds through
the rope-way as compared to one-and-a-half hours by road.
Lower terminals will be at Panbazar area in South
Bank while Upper terminal is proposed at Rajaduar village in
the Northern bank, both having adequate parking facilities
and basic infrastructure.
PTI
