A ferry, one of the few means of communication between the two banks, transports passengers from north Guwahati. File picture

Aug. 2: Four construction companies are currently in the race to win the bid for a multicrore-rupee ropeway project to connect the city with north Guwahati.

A source in the Guwahati development department (GDD) said four construction companies have submitted their bids to construct the bi-cable jig-back ropeway, which will be the longest in the country. The companies include Damodar Ropeways, G.L. Constructions, Pebscon and Assam Electronics Development Corporation (Amtron).

“The evaluation of the bids is in the final stage and one of these companies will be selected by the end of this month,” the GDD officer said.

He said the execution of the project will take two-and-a half years and the work is likely to start in September. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 27.72 crore.

According to the source, the project will be executed under the supervision of Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA).

The proposed rope-hauled car will run from Kacharighat to a hillock near Dolgobinda temple on the northern bank of the city, covering a distance of 1.82km and has the capacity to carry nearly 250 passengers per hour.

“The government will acquire 27 bighas of land near Dolgobinda in north Guwahati. Apart from the terminal building, a park with recreational facilities will also be developed on the plot so that tourists can enjoy themselves after a trip on the ropeway,” he said.

For the convenience of pilgrims who will travel by the ropeway, a passenger lift will be constructed to carry them directly from the hillock to the temple. Around seven bighas of land will be acquired on the southern bank near the deputy commissioner’s office for construction of the terminal building.

The officer said the government would not compromise on quality and safety. All the equipment for the ropeway will be imported from reputed firms. The project is expected to serve the twin purposes of boosting tourism and improving communication network.

Dispur had engaged Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) as the consultant of this project.

RITES had carried out a hydrographic survey to find out the depth of the river in different sections, alignment survey, passenger survey and techno-economic feasibility study and prepared the detailed project report (DPR) last year.

The ropeway will have four sophisticated cabins and each cabin will have the capacity to carry 25 passengers and one cabin operator.

“This river ropeway will not only be an alternative mode of transport for people commuting on a daily basis to and from north Guwahati, but will also be a major tourist attraction,” the source added.