Development of Ropeway projects on Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Uttarakhand

Project Overview

Project: Development of Ropeway projects on Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Uttarakhand
Location: Dehradun, Mussoorie, Hemkund, Yamunotri, Surkandadevi and Purnagiri
Duration: Jul. 2011 to Aug. 2018
Client: Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, Government of Uttarakhand
Address: Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

Brief Description of the Project

The government of Uttarakhand intended to develop ropeway projects at identified locations to provide easy and safe means of travel to religious locations in the State which were located at higher altitudes and can be accessed only through a narrow and difficult foottrack. Some of the destinations that were selected to be developed in PPP format included:

Kedarnath Ropeway Project which would be about 10 km in length from Gaurikund to the Temple covering a trek distance of about 20 km
The Hemkund Ropeway Project located at about 15,300 feet would be one of the world’s highest aerial passenger ropeway.
Dehradun Mussoorie Ropeway provides urban transportation solutions by connecting the twin cities of Dehradun and Mussoorie through an aerial passenger ropeway & several others at strategic locations.
Yamunotri, Surkundadevi, and Purnagiri which are well-known pilgrimage destinations visited by lakhs of pilgrims every year.

Services Provided

Identification of potential locations in the State with difficult access and high footfalls wherein ropeway projects would be highly needed.
Site Assessment of shortlisted locations which included topo-surveys, soil tests, EIA studies, etc.
Interacted with various International / Domestic technology providers and investors in order to incorporate the best practices in the design.
Interaction with the local community including gram panchayat/ local body for taking their feedback on the project and incorporating their comments in the PPP Project Structure.
Developed Project Feasibility Reports which included demand assessment, project layout alternatives, technical specifications, Project Costing, and Financial Analysis.
Development of a PPP Framework defining the roles and obligations of both the State and the Private sector developer.
Procurement of critical clearances with respect to land acquisitions/ transfers, Forest, Wildlife, Environment, etc. including the development of relevant documentation, presentations, and follow-ups with concerned agencies.
Coordination with central government agencies on matters related to the grant of Viability Gap Funding, if required, and Custom duty waiver, Infrastructure Status, etc.
Development of Bidding documents viz. EOI, RFQ, RFP, Draft Concession Agreement, and reaching out to prospective developers with pitch presentations.
Undertook Bid Process Management including assistance in Pre-bid conferences, response to queries, and Bid evaluation.
Assistance in internal approvals within the State Government’s PPP Cell, Finance Department, Legal Department and other stakeholders as per PPP Policy of the State.