Concerns Mount Over Mansa Devi Ropeway Tender Amid Push for Modernization

The Mansa Devi ropeway project in Haridwar is at the center of growing scrutiny. The Haridwar Municipal Corporation’s decision to open the bidding for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the Mansa Devi ropeway to general infrastructure firms has ignited criticism and triggered judicial scrutiny. The Hon’ble High Court of Uttarakhand has reprimanded the state government of Uttarakhand, raising serious concerns over passenger safety, procedural lapses, and administrative transparency.

The Mansa Devi ropeway was originally built under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model in 1981. The contract expired in 2021 after a 30-year term with a 10-year extension. Short-term agreements have kept operations running since, but the April 2025 expiry of the current contract necessitated a fresh tender. Following the 2022 Deoghar ropeway accident, which resulted in multiple casualties, safety awareness around ropeway systems has grown. The Haridwar civic body acknowledged the need to upgrade the ropeway’s aging technology.

On April 9, 2025, the Haridwar Municipal Corporation floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the three-year operation and maintenance (O&M) contract for the Mansa Devi ropeway. The changes made to eligibility criteria, however, have caused widespread concern. Initially, the Expression of Interest (EOI), issued in February 2025, was restricted to companies with prior ropeway experience. However, a subsequent revision to the EOI on March 17, 2025, expanded the eligibility to include companies involved in sectors such as highways, bridges, metros, tunnels, telecom, and hospital fields that bear little relevance to the specialized requirements of ropeway operations.

This change has drawn strong criticism, particularly from experts in the ropeway industry, who assert that the new criteria favour large construction companies over firms with actual ropeway operational expertise. Notably, out of the four companies shortlisted for consideration, only one company, namely Usha Breco, has relevant experience, having operated the Mansa Devi ropeway since its inception. Even this company faces challenges in meeting the revised criteria. The alterations to the criteria were implemented without the approval of the Municipal Board, raising questions about procedural integrity.

The Hon’ble High Court of Uttarakhand has expressed concern over the inclusion of non-specialist firms in a project that involves high-risk vertical transport systems. The Hon’ble High Court of Uttarakhand noted that ropeway system requires highly specialized technical knowledge, which cannot be equated with civil infrastructure projects such as roads or metro systems.

As the modernization of the Mansa Devi ropeway progresses, the bidding process will remain under close scrutiny. The need for specialized knowledge in ropeway operations cannot be overstated, and the state government of Uttarakhand must ensure that the bidding process is aligned with the technical standards required for such infrastructure projects.

The imperative to modernise vital public infrastructure such as the Mansa Devi ropeway is unquestionable. However, ensuring that this is executed through robust, transparent, and technically sound procedures is equally essential to safeguarding public trust and passenger safety.