The under-construction ropeway to Bihar’s Rohtasgarh Fort collapsed during a load trial after a pillar near Tower No 5 gave way, though no casualties were reported. (Express Photo)
An under-construction ropeway being built to improve access to the historic Rohtasgarh Fort in Bihar’s Rohtas district collapsed during a trial run on Friday. No casualties were reported as the ropeway cabins were empty at the time of the incident, officials said.
The ropeway was reportedly scheduled to be opened to tourists on January 1, 2026.
The incident occurred during a load trial of the ropeway connecting Rohtas block with Rohtasgarh Fort and Rohiteshwar Dham. Engineers and technical experts were reportedly conducting tests when one of the pillars near Tower No 5 gave way, triggering a chain reaction that caused multiple pillars and four trolley cabins to fall to the ground.
An official from the Rohtas district administration said the accident took place while a load increase was being tested. “Two trolleys had been successfully tested earlier, during the first phase of the trial,” the source said, adding that the mishap occurred during the second phase, when four empty cabins were being sent from the ground station towards the fort.
“During the trial and testing process, a wire got stuck, leading to structural damage,” the official added.
The 1,324-metre ropeway is being built by Kolkata-based Ropeway and Resource Private Limited (RRPL) at an estimated cost of ₹13 crore under the Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation, according to the source. The project includes five towers and 12 trolley cabins, each with a seating capacity of four passengers.
It is intended to ease access to Rohtasgarh Fort, situated about 1,400 feet above sea level and regarded as one of Bihar’s major tourist attractions. Currently, visitors have to navigate several kilometres of a winding road to reach the site, a local said.
Another source said the project had faced multiple delays. While the survey was completed in 2020 and construction began in February that year, the initial deadline of 14 months was missed, as were subsequent timelines.
Meanwhile, the Rohtas district administration said the incident has been “taken seriously”. “A committee has been constituted by the chairman of the Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation to conduct an impartial and transparent inquiry into the collapse. The panel has been tasked with examining technical, administrative and human factors, assessing compliance with standard operating procedures, and determining whether negligence or technical faults were involved,” an official said, adding that the committee has been directed to submit its report within a stipulated timeframe.
The cost of reconstruction will be borne by the construction company, and strict action will be taken against those found responsible, an official said.
“The ropeway will not be opened to the public until all testing is completed to full satisfaction. Public safety remains the top priority,” an official said.
Himanshu Harsh is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, currently leading on-the-ground coverage in Bihar. With a reporting career rooted in the complexities of the National Capital Region (NCR), Himanshu specializes in the critical intersection of law, crime, and civic governance.
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An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Himanshu brings a rigorous academic foundation to his investigative work. His expertise is characterized by a "ground-up" reporting style, most notably demonstrated during his extensive coverage of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he analyzed shifting political landscapes and grassroots sentiment.
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