Here's what you need to know about India's longest river ropeway launched in Guwahati

Guwahati: The Assam Government on Monday (August 24) formally launched the Guwahati passenger ropeway project connecting the northern and southern banks of the mighty Brahmaputra river.

The project that has been envisioned for more than a decade was on August 24 jointly inaugurated by Assam health and finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Guwahati Development Department (GDD) minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya.

The cable car will take about seven minutes to ferry passengers across the Brahmaputra from North Guwahati to Guwahati and is expected to reduce the time taken by travel between the two banks of the mighty river by almost one hour. Additionally, it is expected to greatly reduce traffic congestion.

The total length of this ropeway is approximately 2 kilometers and its cabins have been imported from Switzerland.

The lower terminal of the ropeway is at Kachari Ghat in Guwahati's Panbazar, while the upper terminal is at Rajadwar village behind the Dol Govinda Temple in North Guwahati.

Although the capacity is of 32 passengers in each carriage, the authorities shall allow 15 passengers in the initial phases due to the ongoing pandemic situation. Everyone shall need to wear a mask and maintain all COVID-19 social distancing protocols.

One way ride via cable car would cost Rs 60, while a two-way commute would require passengers to choke up Rs 100. Passengers can avail daily, weekly and monthly passes as well.

At present, the ropeway will be operational from 8 am till 6 pm. As many as 58 CCTV cameras have been reportedly installed for round-the-clock monitoring of the ropeway service to dissuade miscreants.

Built at an estimated cost of Rs 56 crore, work on the ambitious ropeway project was initiated in 2006 by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authorities part of its initiative to beautify the Brahmaputra riverfront.

The carriage would provide a bird's eye view of the Umananda in the Peacock Island and the Neelachal Hills, home to the historic Kamakhya shrine.

"Today is a very important day for us. We have seen that ropeways have been constructed across the country, especially in hill station areas. We have been compelled to wonder --why does Assam not have a single ropeway? Today, Assam's name has been included among the states that have a ropeway. Today is a proud and golden day for us", said Himanta Biswa Sarma during his address at the inauguration ceremony.

Sarma also thanked the GDD Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya for his contribution towards bringing the goal of setting up a ropeway over the Brahmaputra to fruition.

Meanwhile, the state's Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, taking to Twitter, has dedicated the ropeway between Guwahati and North Guwahati to the people of Assam.

"With the blessings of Umananda, we dedicate the ropeway between Guwahati and North Guwahati to the people of Assam. Apart from substantially reducing travel time, the ropeway will provide a breathtaking view of the mighty Brahmaputra and promote tourism in the State", Sonowal wrote in a tweet.

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