The reason for the visit of the Minister of Road Transport and Highways and an accompanying delegation to Austria are the major tasks in the mobility sector that the Indian government is currently facing. As the most populous country in the world with a continuing positive population growth, high burdens for the environment go hand in hand with this.

The dense traffic in India’s numerous megacities, almost every one of which is more populous than the whole of Austria, as the minister noted by way of comparison, places a heavy burden on the urban environment and thus also on the people living in the cities.

With an increase in the level of prosperity, individual mobility needs are also rising in India. Without intervention by the Indian government, individual transport would continue to increase until traffic came to a complete standstill. The only solution is to expand public transport. This is currently being massively promoted – also with ropeways.

The concern for sustainability

The transport minister is taking a holistic approach. Sustainability is a particularly important concern when selecting suitable means for the comprehensive creation of public mobility services. Due to their electric drive, low soil sealing, fast construction time and long service life, ropeways are of particular interest to him.

The social participation of all sections of the population in transportation is also a declared goal. Just as in South America, Indian cities are expected to achieve better mobility for all with the ropeway as a means of transport. The minister has several billion dollars at his disposal for this goal.

In addition to the expansion of the rail infrastructure or the construction of e-highways, the plus-one level is also to be developed as a potential area. Here, urban ropeways play an important role – also in connection with rail-based infrastructure to connect the last mile.

At present, 50 projects are already being planned throughout the country, many of which involve Austrian and European companies. If these and other plans are implemented, India could become the most important market for urban ropeways.

Appeal to the industry

Minister Gadkari appeals to the industry to participate in improving existing ropeway standards to ensure sustainable and safe transportation and be part of this transformative journey to take Indian infrastructure to greater heights.

The focus is on PPP under a hybrid annuity model with 60% support from the Indian government. In this context, the manufacture of ropeway components is being promoted under the “Make in India” initiative.

The Minister subsequently also visited the exhibits of the world’s leading manufacturers of ropeway systems, which offer high-tech solutions, innovative design, top quality and functionality, paving the way for convenient and environmentally friendly passenger transportation by ropeways.

Already at the end of May, the Minister invites for a return visit to India to discuss with manufacturers, consultants, planners and other ropeway experts the next steps for the implementation of the ambitious plans.