Construction of the ambitious Dehradun-Mussoorie Ropeway is progressing rapidly, bringing the dream of a fast, scenic, and congestion-free ride to Mussoorie closer to reality. The ground floor of the lower terminal station at Purkul village, located on the outskirts of Dehradun, has been completed, and work on the upper floors is underway. A three-storey parking facility is already in place, with construction for a fourth level ongoing.
Simultaneously, work has begun at the upper terminal at Gandhi Chowk, Mussoorie. The approach road has been completed, and foundation work for 11 out of the 26 support towers is finished. Work on the remaining towers is progressing steadily. Authorities are optimistic that the ropeway will be operational within the next 18 months.
Launched under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at a cost of ₹300 crore, the ropeway is being built by Mussoorie Skycar Company under the supervision of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. The initiative aims to ease the chronic traffic congestion and parking issues that plague the Mussoorie road during peak tourist seasons.
The ropeway will stretch 5.5 km from Purkul village to Gandhi Park in Mussoorie, reducing the usual 33 km road journey, which takes 1.5 to 3 hours, to just 15 minutes. Once completed, it will be one of the largest ropeways in South Asia.
The ropeway will initially feature 55 automated cabins, each with a capacity of 10 passengers. Operating at a maximum speed of 6 meters per second, the system will transport up to 1,300 tourists per hour in each direction. The cabins and rope systems are being imported from France, and a French team will also train the operational staff.
The project includes a 10-storey parking structure in Purkul with capacity for over 2,000 vehicles, along with amenities like cafeterias and restrooms. Designed to function year-round — even during snowfall and rain — the ropeway will offer tourists a pollution-free and visually stunning journey over the mountains, directly arriving at the Mall Road in Mussoorie.
Officials state that the ropeway is expected to boost tourism revenue and generate local employment in Purkul village.
“The construction of the Dehradun-Mussoorie Ropeway is progressing rapidly. We are committed to completing the work with high quality within the stipulated timeline. Continuous monitoring is underway, and strict instructions have been given to contractors,” said Sachin Kurve, Secretary, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board.
