Mumbai could soon get its first ropeway facility, with the Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) initiating plans for a proposed connection between Mulund and the historic Taramati Mata Temple inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivali. The project is intended to strengthen religious tourism and make the temple more accessible to visitors and devotees.
As an initial step, the PWD has invited tenders to appoint a consultant who will prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR), including the proposed route, technical design and feasibility assessment. The project is currently at the planning stage, and construction will begin only after the necessary studies and statutory permissions are completed.
The proposed ropeway will connect the foothills of Mulund directly to Taramati Mata Temple. The plan also envisages an observation tower near the hilltop, offering visitors panoramic views of the surrounding forest landscape and Tulsi Lake.
BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha has welcomed the move, describing it as an important development for Mulund and Mumbai from the perspectives of tourism and religious access. He has also clarified that speculation about the ropeway serving as a commercial transport link between Mulund and Borivali is incorrect. The proposed facility is intended exclusively for the Mulund–Taramati Mata Temple route.
The appointed consultant will examine several aspects before finalising the DPR. These include identifying a suitable alignment, carrying out topographical and geotechnical surveys, conducting hydrological studies, assessing land requirements for stations and estimating the project’s overall cost. The study will also evaluate possible environmental consequences.
Since the proposed alignment falls within an ecologically sensitive national park containing protected forests and wildlife, environmental considerations will be central to the planning process.
The project will require clearances from the relevant Forest and Environment authorities, along with approvals from the Central Government. Its implementation timeline will depend on the DPR findings and the completion of these regulatory procedures.
Source: Lokmat Times
