Gangtok ready for ropeway ride

Gangtok, Nov. 25: Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling will inaugurate the one-km bi-cable zigback ropeway between Deorali and Tashiling secretariat on Sunday.

The Rs 11.5 crore-ropeway, built by Calcutta-based Damodar Ropeways and Construction Company, will ferry commuters between the lower and upper outskirts of Gangtok.

Quelling fears in the wake of the Darjeeling ropeway tragedy, senior officials of Damodar ropeways said the two were different in make and operation.

Three terminals have been built on the one-km route. While the lower terminal for the passengers to board and disembark is located at Deorali, a Gangtok suburb, the intermediate terminal is located at Nam Nang in central Gangtok next to the Sikkim Legislative Assembly. The upper terminal is located just below the Tashiling secretariat. Two cabins will ferry commuters between the three terminals. Each has a capacity of 25 passengers.

Project manager L.N. Rao said the construction company would operate and maintain the ropeway for 10 years. A to-and-fro ride will cost Rs 50 and a one-way ticket will cost Rs 30. Monthly tickets for government employees will be priced at Rs 500.