Indore (Madhya Pradesh): After a wait of over three years when the proposal was first mooted, the IDA board on Thursday finally gave its nod for two ropeways in the city and now tenders would be invited to survey the ropeway routes. The idea of the ropeway was made on January 6, 2021, by the then CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
The board also discussed several other projects related to mass transportation in the city. Out of the tenders received by the Board of Directors for consultancy services for preparation of tender documents and feasibility study of various flyovers along with BRTS, the tender of M/s VK Infratech Management Pvt Ltd (Delhi) was found eligible for selection and accordingly, their tender was accepted.
Also, the board granted administrative approval of Rs. 118.35 crore to Authority’s Scheme No 97 Part-2, administrative approval of Rs 207.00 crore to Authority’s Scheme No 97 Part-4 and other works. Regarding maintenance of Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) being constructed in Scheme No 139 and 169-A, IDA decided to select 2 separate agencies, in which the marketing of commercial area would be gone by one agency and maintenance and upkeep of bus stand by another agency.
Regarding resolution of objections/complaints received regarding lapsing of Authority’s Scheme No 171, it was decided that the received objections and complaints would be transferred to the concerned departments for their resolution. Collector Asheesh Singh, municipal commissioner Shivam Verma and others were present at the meeting.
The Route
IDA CEO RP Ahirwar said, “The board of directors selected 2 routes for ropeway while finalizing the routes of Aerial Ropeway Transit System in city. Under this, the first route would be from Chandan Nagar Square to Gangwal Bus Stand Square, Malganj Square, Yashwant Road, Jawahar Marg Square, Sarvate Bus Stand, MY Hospital and Shivaji Square and the second route would be from Indore Railway Station to Malwa Mill Square, Patnaipura Square, Bhamori Square till Vijay Nagar Square. A detailed survey will be conducted on the said routes and a report will be submitted.”
Project Timline So Far
January 6, 2021: Then CM makes announcement of cable car while inaugurating the Pipliyahana flyover.
April 1, 2021: Draft plan of cable car project shown by WAPCOS Ltd Co. at a meeting headed by then divisional commissioner Pawan Sharma.
June 16, 2021: MP Shankar Lalwani suggests a cable car project in a letter to then divisional commissioner before the budget session of IDA.
June 28, 2021: Rs 75 lakh is decided in the IDA’s Rs 524-crore budget for fiscal 2021-2022 for undertaking a feasibility test of the project.
October 27, 2021: Then collector Manish Singh instructs IDA officials for integration of Metro and cable car project to provide greater facilities to passengers.
June 28, 2022: Then CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan makes announcement on starting a cable car in the city parallel to the Metro Project.
January 25, 2024: The Union Transport Ministry gives in-principle approval and allocates an initial budget of Rs 1 crore for it.
