Will Bengaluru’s 2.93 Km Nandi Hills Ropeway Project Meet Its March 2025 Deadline?

The much-anticipated ropeway project at Nandi Hills, a prime tourist destination near Bengaluru, is nearing completion following the tabling of the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Assembly on Wednesday to facilitate its implementation.

The 2.93-kilometre ropeway will feature two terminals-one near Nandi Hills Road and the other at the summit of Nandi Hills. The lower terminal is set to be constructed on a 3-acre, 20-gunta land parcel, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Bengaluru Rural district administration (Doddaballapur Taluk).

According to the Bill, two acres of land at Nandi Hills will be allocated for the construction of the upper terminal point of the 2.93-km-long ropeway. The land will be leased for 30 years under a public-private partnership model.

Amendments are being made to Section 5 of The Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act 1975, which allows the government to reallocate areas belonging to gardens managed by the horticulture department for other activities. Despite the foundation stone being laid in March 2023, the project has progressed slowly due to issues related to land transfers from various departments.

The upper terminal point of the ropeway will be on land belonging to the horticulture department, while the lower terminal point will be on land belonging to the Bengaluru Rural district administration. Additionally, the ropeway will traverse parcels of forest land as it ascends the hills.

The ropeway is expected to be operational by March 2025.

Nandi Hills, situated in the Chikkaballapura district and located 60 km from Bengaluru, is a popular weekend getaway for city residents. Known for its rich biodiversity, trekking trails, scenic viewpoints, and the historic Bhoganandeshwara Temple, the hill attracts numerous visitors.

The ropeway will significantly reduce travel time to the hilltop and is expected to alleviate pollution caused by heavy traffic. Additionally, it is likely to further boost tourism in the area.