Guwahati, the vibrant gateway to Northeast India, is set to witness a transformative leap in urban mobility and tourism with the approval of the Guwahati Ropeway Project 2025. The ₹270 crore ropeway, connecting Sonaram Field to the revered Bhubaneshwari Temple at Kamakhya, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing Assam ropeway infrastructure update. As work accelerates, the project promises to reshape the city’s skyline, tourism economy, and daily commute.
Assam Ropeway Infrastructure Update
On February 26, 2025, the Assam government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with G R Infraprojects to develop the Sonaram–Kamakhya ropeway. This project is part of a broader push to modernize Assam’s urban infrastructure, improve accessibility to key religious and cultural sites, and promote sustainable tourism.
Key Highlights:
Route: Sonaram Field to Bhubaneshwari Temple, Kamakhya, Guwahati
Investment: ₹270 crore
Developer: G R Infraprojects, with full state government support for permissions and clearances
MoU Validity: 12 months from signing, extendable if required
Objective: Enhance connectivity, boost tourism, and provide a scenic, efficient commute for locals and pilgrims
Guwahati Tourism Ropeway Development: Why It Matters
The ropeway project is poised to become a landmark in Guwahati tourism ropeway development. Kamakhya Temple, perched atop Nilachal Hills, is one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage destinations, attracting millions of devotees annually. The new ropeway will:
Reduce travel time: The journey from the city to the temple will be cut by over 55%, offering a seven-minute ride with breathtaking views of the Brahmaputra and Guwahati’s skyline.
Ease congestion: By providing an alternative to road transport, the ropeway will help decongest key approach roads, especially during festivals like the Ambubachi Mela.
Boost visitor experience: The project will expand open space around the temple from 3,000 sq. ft. to nearly 100,000 sq. ft., improving crowd management and comfort.
Support local economy: Increased footfall is expected to benefit hotels, restaurants, shops, and transport operators.
Assam Ropeway Infrastructure Update
The Sonaram–Kamakhya ropeway is just the beginning. The National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, is driving multiple ropeway projects across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Kamakhya Railway Station to Kamakhya Temple Ropeway: 1.43 km, ₹201 crore, tenders issued in June 2025, expected completion by June 2026.
Other Proposed Ropeways: Ganganagar Part-VII to Bhuban Pahar Mahadev Temple (Cachar), Jatinga Bird Watching Tower to Hempeupet Peak (Dima Hasao), Agnigarh Pahar to Bhairabi Mandir (Tezpur), Khanapara to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (Guwahati), and Parshuram (Arunachal Pradesh)
These projects reflect a strategic vision to turn Assam into a model for ropeway-based urban and tourism infrastructure.
Table: Key Ropeway Projects in Assam (2025)
| Project Route | Length (km) | Estimated Cost (₹ Cr) | Status/Target Completion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonaram Field – Bhubaneshwari Temple, Kamakhya | ~2.0 | 270 | MoU signed, planning |
| Kamakhya Railway Stn – Kamakhya Temple | 1.43 | 201 | Tenders issued, 2026 |
| Ganganagar – Bhuban Pahar Mahadev Temple | 2.78 | TBA | DPR in progress |
| Jatinga – Hempeupet Peak | 3.50 | TBA | DPR in progress |
| Agnigarh – Bhairabi Mandir, Tezpur | 1.80 | TBA | DPR in progress |
| Khanapara – Guwahati Airport | 24.0 | TBA | DPR in progress |
Source: Government of Assam, NHLML, project tenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the timeline for the Sonaram–Kamakhya ropeway project?
The MoU is valid for 12 months from February 2025, with possible extension. Construction is expected to begin soon after all clearances, with completion targeted for 2026–27.
Q2: How will the ropeway benefit Guwahati’s tourism sector?
It will make Kamakhya Temple more accessible, reduce travel time, and offer a unique aerial view, boosting both religious and leisure tourism.
Q3: Are there other ropeway projects planned in Assam?
Yes, multiple ropeways are in the pipeline across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, aiming to connect key tourist and religious sites.
Q4: Who is developing the Sonaram–Kamakhya ropeway?
G R Infraprojects Ltd, with full support from the Assam government for permissions and clearances.
Q5: What is the expected capacity and travel time?
The ropeway will transport up to 1,000 passengers per hour in each direction, with a travel time of about seven minutes.
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