Rs 650-crore ropeway proposed from Karjat to Bhimashankar temple

A ropeway has been proposed from Karjat in Raigad district to the Bhimashankar temple, which could give devotees a new route to the shrine. The project is estimated to cost Rs 650 crore and depends on the approval of the Maharashtra government.

Former state minister Dilip Walse Patil disclosed the proposal. He had gone to Bhimashankar to review the work under way as part of the temple's development plan, and spoke about the scheme during the visit.

According to the proposal, the ropeway will carry 144 passengers at a time, meaning a capacity of 72 passengers at a time in each direction. This would ease travel for devotees going to the temple and those returning from it.

The proposed route will benefit devotees coming from Mumbai and surrounding areas. They will not have to depend entirely on the road journey to reach the temple and will be able to take the ropeway.

The proposal is said to place special emphasis on causing minimum damage to the surrounding area. Walse Patil said no trees would have to be felled for the construction and very little land would need to be acquired. The project is thus being presented as an option that improves connectivity while keeping the impact on the ground low.

However, the proposal has not yet received final approval. It will first have to be cleared by the sub-committee chaired by the Chief Minister.

Separately, the next phase of development work at Bhimashankar is near. If construction work in this phase makes it necessary, the temple administration may have to close entry to the public for a short period.

Walse Patil has appealed to devotees to cooperate with the administration in the event of a temporary closure. The appeal comes as the administration prepares to push ahead with infrastructure improvement work at the shrine.