The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will engage a new agency to finish the construction of a ropeway that is touted to reduce the travel time between Kurseong and the foothills near Siliguri and soon invite expressions of interest (EOI) in the project.

“We have terminated the contract with the agency that was previously engaged for the project. Fresh tenders will be invited very shortly to complete the project,” said a source in the GTA.

The GTA had awarded the contract to a Calcutta-based firm in 2014 to construct the 2.5km-long ropeway that will connect Rohini near Siliguri with Giddapahar of Kurseong.

Conveyor & Ropeway Service Private Limited (CRSPL) that was assigned the task of executing the project with an estimated cost of Rs 16 crore attributed the delay to the violent Gorkhaland movement which convulsed the Darjeeling hills in 2017, Covid-19-related restrictions and a jump in the cost of construction material with the passing of the scheduled time of the completion.

The initial plan was to finish the cable car transport system in 18 months.

Once the ropeway becomes functional, one needs 15 minutes to travel between Rohini and Kurseong.

The two places are 20km apart by road and it takes over an hour for the journey.

Representatives of CRSPL said around 60 per cent of the work had been completed.

Director Rachana Mukherjee said the work could not resume even after the Covid-related restrictions had been lifted because of an escalation in the prices of various items needed to finish the project.

Sources said 16 towers would support a 2,320-metre-long mono-cable structure which will have gondolas that carry passengers.

Semi-finished towers erected for the cable car service at Giddapahar

“Construction of 15 towers has been completed. We need to erect another tower and set up the control panel. We are also keen to complete the project. Once the ropeway is ready, communication between the hilltown and the plains would be easier. From Siliguri, anybody can reach Kurseong in less than 30 minutes,” said a source.

The distance between Siliguri and Rohini is around 20 km.

The CRSPL, which is running a similar service at Singamari of Darjeeling, has also submitted proposals to the GTA for introducing ropeways on routes like Darjeeling-Bijanbari and Giddapahar-Kurseong Motor Stand.

“On one hand, ropeways would draw more tourists who wish to enjoy the aerial view of hills. On the other hand, the service can benefit local people, especially in case of an emergency,” said a hill resident.