Punjab, Himachal revive shrine ropeway project

Chandigarh, Aug 10 (IANS) Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have revived a project to install a ropeway to connect Sri Anandpur Sahib, the birthplace of the Khalsa in Rupnagar district, to the Naina Devi temple in the hill state, a Punjab Minister said on Friday.

The project will not only boost tourism in both the states, but will also be an epitome of strengthened Hindu-Sikh bonds, Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said after a meeting earlier with Himachal Additional Chief Secretary (Culture and Tourism) Ram Subhag Singh here.

The meeting was held here to revive the project shelved in 2014.

Ram Subhag Singh said that the project was cleared on Thursday by the Himachal Cabinet.

Sidhu said that the over 3.5-km ropeway project would tentatively cost Rs 200 crore.

"The safety of pilgrims will get top priority and services of a topnotch company will be hired with an accident-free record in view of this aspect," Sidhu said.

The Minister clarified that all necessary clearances for the project would be obtained and no hindrances allowed to come in its way this time.

The Khalsa Panth was founded by tenth Sikh master, Guru Gobind Singh, at Gurdwara Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib, 85 km from here, on April 13, 1699.

The Naina Devi shrine is located in Bilaspur district of Himachal and is visited by lakhs of devotees from different religions.