Cable Car Service Debuts in Shimla, Connecting Jakhoo Hill
In the picturesque city of Shimla, a long-awaited addition to its tourism infrastructure has finally arrived. The Jakhoo Ropeway, inaugurated by Chief Minister Sh. Virbhadra Singh, has significantly improved access to the Jakhoo Temple, a popular attraction dedicated to Lord Hanuman located on Jakhoo Hill [6].
The ropeway serves as an aerial lift, linking Mall Road to the hilltop, offering visitors a convenient and scenic alternative to the more challenging trek or road travel traditionally used to reach the temple [2][5]. This new mode of transport has made visiting the temple easier and more appealing, attracting more tourists who might have avoided the steep walk or longer road journeys otherwise [1][2].
The ropeway's impact on local tourism is twofold. Firstly, it potentially boosts revenue streams for local businesses, including vendors near the temple and those offering related services like guided treks and souvenirs [3]. Secondly, the ropeway itself generates direct revenue through ticket sales, contributing to the local economy [3].
However, the ropeway's introduction may have had a slight impact on taxi operators who used to ferry visitors to the hilltop [2]. The faster and more efficient means of reaching the temple using the ropeway could reduce the reliance on taxis for transportation up to Jakhoo Hill.
The ropeway is a project of Jagson International Ltd. [4] and is expected to operate on a recurring basis. From the second year onwards, 15% of the total revenue of the Shimla ropeway has to be given to the State Government [7]. The Shimla ropeway company's first-year dividend payment to the state government is Rs 57 Lakh [8], which is higher than its annual dividend payments from the second year onwards [8].
The distance of 8 Km from the ridge to Jakhoo Temple can now be covered in just 5 minutes using the ropeway [9], making it an exciting new experience for tourists in Shimla. The ropeway can accommodate approximately 6 passengers in one ride [1], and the price for a two-way journey is Rs 550 per person for adults, and Rs 450 for children [1].
In conclusion, the Jakhoo Ropeway has enhanced Shimla’s tourism infrastructure by improving accessibility to a significant cultural and religious site, which supports increased tourist footfall and economic benefits. While it may have somewhat reduced taxi usage for that particular route, the overall impact on the city's tourism and economy is positive and promising.
The Jakhoo Ropeway, now open for travel, links Mall Road to the hilltop, offering visitors a convenient, scenic alternative to the traditional ways of reaching the Jakhoo Temple. This new mode of transport has made the temple visit easier and more appealing, boosting local tourism by increasing tourist footfall and generating revenue for businesses and the state government.
