Changing city: Connectivity, tourism and a proposed ropeway over a creek in Mumbai

Alignment: The 7.8km ropeway will connect Mahvir Nagar Metro Station on Line 2A with Pagoda in Gorai.

Distance: The ropeway will cut travel time from one and half hours to 40 minutes.

Plan on hold since 2019: The ropeway was first proposed in 2019 wherein tenders were also floated on a design, finance, build, operate and transfer basis. Two companies participated but the proposal was kept on hold since the MMRDA decided to focus on other ongoing projects on priority basis.

The Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRCL) had prepared a detailed project report of the proposed ropeway corridor. According to their project plan, the IPRCL had cited the efficacy of New York, Columbia and Turkey ropeways, running successfully. The suggested ropeway would cause very little impact on the mangroves.

Present status: With Metro Lines 2A & 7, a total of 35 km stretch, open to the public and over a lakh commuters using them, the MMRDA is focussing on improving last mile connectivity facilities in order to increase the ridership. As a part of it, the ropeway plan has once again been rejuvenated by the MMRDA which is proposed to be taken up on PPP (Public Private Partnership) model to make it cost effective.

The ropeway will cut travel time from one and half hours to 40 minutes.

Tourist attraction: The ropeway will not only act as a last mile connectivity for the villagers residing on the other side of the creek but will also promote tourism; more so since with the presence of Essel World and a beach in Gorai.

What officials have to say: The previous plan was expensive and therefore it was kept on hold. This time, the MMRDA wants to work in a cost-effective manner which is both feasible and profitable.