Many people like to climb mountains on their own. But then there are some who would rather have the technology to assist them in nature’s adventures. Which one are you?
When you think of a new transport system, you probably imagine futuristic travel pods or high-speed trains. But wait, have you ever been on a ropeway? Instead of being powered by electricity or fossil fuels, this transport system is powered by a very simple material: rope. Via this transport, you can get a birds-eye view of the city, and the landscape under you, from high above with nothing but the soaring cables and the city far, far below.
“AAJ MEIN UPAR AASMAN NEECHE”… continues to play in the background.
There has been a lot of construction work in Dharamshala lately. A new ropeway has been built near the bus stop. It has been open for a few months now but has already made a boom among tourists visiting the town.
During the peak tourist seasons, when the climate is pleasant and people flock to Dharamshala to escape the heat, visitors often complain about the traffic congestion mainly in Kotwali Bazar and Khara Danda road. Well, not only the tourists are troubled with this congestion but even the locals who’ve to move up and down for work feel the same way. The just-opened Dharamshala Skyway is about to end the travel woes, reducing the travel time to nine minutes. Isn’t that good news! Well, of course, it is.
What To Expect From Dharamshala Skyway
You travel along a cable, over a valley, and through a forest. You feel weightless and free. Speaking of the views from the Gondola ride, they are absolutely breathtaking. One minute you’re in the hustle-bustle of the city, and the next you’re looking down at the beautiful town of Dharamshala. As the gondola car slowly makes its way to the top of the mountain, you get a great view of the mountains blanketed in snow. You can see for miles and miles, and the sense of calm that comes with the ride is very relaxing.
Here’s All You Need To Know About Dharamshala Ropeway
1. Inaugurated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, the ropeway is 1.8 km long.
2. With 18 gondolas, the ropeway can transport 1000 passengers in one direction in one hour.
3. One has to spend Rs. 500 per person for a two-way journey, for one way the amount is Rs. 300.
4. The project, worth 207 crores, has 10 towers and two stations and covers the distance in just five minutes.
5. The ropeway is set up using mono cable detachable gondola technology.
6. You board a ropeway at one end (Dharamshala Bus Stop) and disembark at the other (Dalai Lama Temple, Mcleodganj).
Speaking Of The Locals
Well, there’s one more thing which needs to be considered: Residents of Dharamshala are skeptical of the skyway. Here’s why? If we talk about the price of the ropeway, as mentioned earlier, a one-way ticket will cost ₹300, while a two-way ride will cost ₹500. It surely will not affect the tourists but for locals, the prices are not good at all. Why would folks bestow so much money on the ropeway ride, just as five people can go to and fro in a Mudrika jeep for just ₹200? So maybe for locals, it’s not a fair deal.
Although ropeways are a great way to get up high in the mountains, there’s always a ‘but’ which means they can also be a little bit scary! The ride is like a roller coaster, but instead of going up and down, you go side to side. Just in case you’re afraid of heights don’t look down, just soak in the beautiful views of the surroundings. Maybe that’s how you’ll forget your heebie-jeebies. You do that to stay in the game. Isn’t it?
Happy Riding!
Feature Image By: The White House