Barsana, 2016.08.23 (VT): The much awaited plan to develop a ropeway at Barsana got its final approval on Monday. This will be one step further towards making Barsana an important tourist hub with the plans being finalized by CM Akhilesh Yadav.
The UP government decision to go ahead with the project was first announced in January of this year by Navneet Sehgal, principal secretary for tourism.
Delhi based firm LA Hotels and Retreats Private Limited has been selected to develop and manage the ropeway at Barsana, for which it has been given a 30-year contract with the Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority (MVDA).
The company was selected by tender from four shortlisted firms. The contract calls for the company to pay Rs 678,900 a month to MVDA. Apart from that, 5% of ticket sales will also be given to MVDA.
The total length of ropeway will be 216 metres from the ground till Shreeji temple, with a maximum height of 60 meters. The ticket price for using it will be 75 rupees return per person, which will be raised by 10% annually. The construction work will start from October this year and will end in nine to ten months as claimed by the project manager of LA Hotels.
The project will be built over an area of 17,000 square metres, for which MVDA has already paid Rs. 1.73 crores to the Forest Department and Village Panchayat. Some amount will also be give to Horticulture Department for land for the project.
Out of 12,000 square metres, 9,000 belonged to the Forest Department, 3,600 belonged to the Village Panchayat and 1,200 square metres belonged to the Horticulture Department.
102 trees will be felled for the project, which includes 77 trees of Horticulture Department and 25 trees of Forest Department. It was reported last year that the Courts ordered the MVDA to plant ten times as many trees as were cut, but environmentalists have not welcomed the wholesale cutting of old growth trees for the project, which will furthermore detract from the beauty of the site.
The post Barsana to get its ropeway soon appeared first on Vrindavan Today.