Ropeway project to Chamundi Hills in Mysuru shelved by Karnataka Government

The decision to drop the plan to build a ropeway to Chamundi Hills — which is a major victory for environmentalists — was taken at a meeting of senior officials and stakeholders held in Mysuru on July 6

The plan to build a ropeway to Chamundi Hills in Mysuru, proposed in the Karnataka Budget for 2022-23, has been dropped following opposition from various quarters and also on the ground that it is a place of pilgrimage.

The decision — which is a major victory for environmentalists — was taken at a meeting of senior officials and stakeholders held in Mysuru on July 6.

The district in-charge minister S.T. Somashekar, who chaired the meeting, announced that the decision followed inputs and feedback from different departments. Also, the district administration was not in favour of the proposal. Hence, the project will be dropped.

Explaining the reasons for dropping the project, Mr. Somashekar said that Chamundi Hills and Sri Chamundeshwari temple are sacred places that mainly attracted pilgrims and not tourists. There are multiple approaches, including well-asphalted roads besides steps. Besides, with the temple drawing lakhs of pilgrims, a ropeway would not be feasible while the existing network of roads and steps would suffice, said the Minister.

In the discussions that preceded the Minister’s announcement, Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Deve Gowda set the ball rolling and expressed his opposition to the project.

Similar views were aired by officials. Deputy Conservator of Forests (Territorial) Kamala Karikalan pointed out that the department had objected to the project in 2013, and had revoked the permit issued in 1997 when the project was first mooted.

Rukmini Chandran, who promotes adventure sports, said that the ropeway is unnecessary, and demanded curtailing the unregulated development atop the hills.