GMDA revives Guwahati-North Guwahati ropeway project

Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, July 3: The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has resurrected the ropeway project connecting North Guwahati.

The project was stalled after the Archaeological Survey of India in 2011 declined permission for construction of an anchor block at Urbashi island for correcting a tilt in a pillar already constructed as part of the project. Thereafter, no work was carried out for this ropeway and the project has been on hold since February, 2011.

However, the tiol Monuments Authority on April 10, 2015 recommended and granted permission for an altertive pillar, subject to obtaining other required clearances/NOC from relevant agency.

Official sources said 60 percent of the work has been already completed. “The project is expected to be completed by July, 2017,” they said.

The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 53 crore.

The Gauhati High Court last month had directed the Guwahati Development Department (GDD) and the GMDA to submit the status of the ropeway project.

The construction of the ropeway between Guwahati and North Guwahati (South and North Bank) was approved by the Assam Government at a total cost of Rs. 27.72 crore on March 1, 2006. The work was first allotted to the Kamrup (M) DC, which was subsequently transferred to the GMDA.

Samir Damodar Ropeway Construction Pvt. Ltd. (SDPRL) was selected as turnkey design and execution contractor. The agreement with the contractor was entered into on May 6, 2008. Rites Ltd was subsequently engaged as Project Magement Consultant in 2008.

The execution of the project had commenced in 2009.