BASIC ADVANTAGES OF AERIAL ROPEWAYS 

Aerial Ropeways are the most advantageous modes of transportation that contribute to an environment-friendly, economical and practical solution. A Ropeway is possibly the most efficient of all modes of transport and has many advantages.

ROPEWAY MARKET TRENDS IN INDIA 

The Ropeway and Cable Car Market is set for a Promising Future in India

Passenger Carrying Ropeways

The public application of Aerial Ropeways in India started in the 60s & 70s. However, in recent years, Ropeways have slowly and gradually taken off from a niche industry to a more popular mode of public commute. Recent years have seen a host of Ropeway and Cable Car projects in India across hilltop temples, mountainous terrains, and other remote locations.

The central and state governments in India are mulling over Ropeways as a faster, more economical, and environmentally friendly mode of commute. They are thinking of building more Ropeway projects. While their role in offering last-mile commutes in remote locations of India is unquestionable, Ropeways and Cable Cars can also play a pivotal role in offering seamless connectivity in high-traffic regions in modern Indian cities.

In the western cities, Ropeways are a popular mode of transport and on similar lines, the Government of India is planning to implement such projects in the high-traffic regions.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi riding a Ropeway built by M & M Ropeways in Gujarat.

‘Parvatmala Pariyojana’: National Ropeways Development Programme

In the recent budget for FY-23, the Parvatamala Pariyojana scheme was announced under which the government has planned to develop more than 250 projects with Ropeway length of over 1200 kilometers. For the first time in the country, the ‘Parvatmala Pariyojana’ scheme is being implemented for areas such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East. This scheme will create a modern system of transportation and connectivity in the mountains.

Road, Transport and Highways Minister Mr. Nitin Gadkari said that the government is promoting the manufacturing of Ropeway components under the Make in India initiative. Mr. Gadkari also encouraged the European Ropeway companies to participate in the enhancement of existing Ropeway standards to ensure sustainable and safer transport. The government’s focus is on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) under the Hybrid Annuity Model with 60% contribution support by the Government of India.

The Ropeway & Cable Car market in India is poised for robust growth. Numerous factors can drive the growth of the ropeway industry in India:

As discussed above, plans are underway to introduce Ropeways and Cable Cars in remote congested urban centers, where developing mass transit systems such as suburban railways or metro lines are difficult.

Material Handling Ropeways

The future of material handling Ropeways in India is promising, given the country’s diverse topography, increasing industrialization, and the need for efficient transportation of goods in challenging terrains.

India has a varied landscape, including mountains, hills, forests, and rivers, where conventional transportation methods are often impractical. Material handling Ropeways offer an efficient solution for transporting goods across these challenging terrains.

As India continues to invest in infrastructure development, there will be an increasing demand for innovative transportation solutions. Material handling Ropeways can play a significant role in enhancing connectivity, especially in remote and hilly areas.

Material Ropeways can support rural development by enabling the transportation of agricultural produce, forest products, and other goods to markets. This can boost the economy of rural areas and improve the livelihoods of people living in these regions.

India has a thriving mining sector and various heavy industries. Material handling Ropeways are crucial for transporting minerals, ores, and other raw materials from mines and industrial sites to processing plants or ports. Their efficiency and capacity make them indispensable in these sectors.

Material handling Ropeways are often more cost-effective than building roads or railways in difficult terrains. They require less land acquisition, and the construction process is typically faster, making them an attractive option for industries looking to minimize costs. They are relatively easy and quick to set up, operate, maintain and take down again. Also, a material handling Ropeway does not necessarily need to have a straight line. Where the line of transport is not straight throughout, an intermediate structure called an angle station can be used to change the otherwise straight alignment of the ropeway. The Ropeway carriers can also be adapted to the very nature of the materials that need to be transported.

Government initiatives focusing on improving connectivity, promoting industries, and boosting economic growth in remote regions align well with the benefits offered by material handling Ropeways. Subsidies or incentives for implementing such solutions can further drive their adoption

Following are the common sectors where Material Handling Ropeways are used in India:

In summary, the future of material handling Ropeways in India looks bright due to their cost-effectiveness, environmental benefits, and ability to overcome geographical challenges. As the demand for efficient and sustainable transportation solutions continues to rise, material handling Ropeways are likely to play a crucial role in shaping India’s logistics and transportation landscape.

History of Aerial Cableways in the Army

Military Aerial Cableways were used in the First World War by Italy and Austria to transport supplies to their troops in mountain sectors of the War front. Troops were often in high-altitude positions during the war & far removed from roads, mule tracks and pathways. Wherever such infrastructure existed, it generally followed the easiest routes and was therefore exposed to enemy fire. Providing the troops on the front line with a reliable supply of food and ammunition often required the building of new infrastructure.

Aerial Cableways were hence the solution and were built where they were needed, regardless of how difficult the terrain might be. Overcoming steep and impassable slopes, the engineers who built them had to deal with rock-falls and avalanches and sometimes work under enemy fire. The technical demands of the new Cableways were sometimes extreme. For example, Austrian Aerial Cableways had to cross large glaciers, requiring spans that had never before been attempted.

The Army built mechanized Aerial Cableways with spans of up to 2.5 km. Powered by gasoline, crude oil, electricity or steam; these engines had an output of 25 hp. The largest unsupported span was 500 meters.

Each day, a brigade required around 200 tons of supplies – food, equipment, clothing and ammunition. In 1915 all of this was brought up to the front line by mules, donkeys, civilians pressed into service, or prisoners of war. Under the harsh conditions in the mountains it could take well over an hour to cover one kilometre and both porters and pack animals required supplies themselves, as well as rest. Aerial Cableways could operate for 20 hours a day and reliably deliver 6 thousand quintals of supplies. Without Cableways it would have required 400 trucks with a thousand drivers, 2 thousand soldiers and 3 thousand pack animals to achieve the same.

Aerial Cableways for the Indian Army

For the Indian Army, M & M Ropeways has Designed, Manufactured and deployed Aerial Cableways to quickly transport troops and supplies across difficult terrain, such as rivers, mountains or dense forests, where traditional transportation means were limited or slow. We have installed the highest Cableway systems at 18,000 feet with temperatures dropping to -35 degrees Celsius (most inhospitable conditions) on the Siachen Glacier in the Greater Himalayas for the Indian Army, which are running absolutely trouble-free.

Some potential uses of Aerial Cableways in the Army:

It’s important to note that the specific use of Aerial Cableways in the army would depend on the operational context, terrain and the objectives of the mission. Additionally, advancements in technology may lead to the development of more sophisticated and versatile Cableway systems for military applications.

SKI Industry in India 

The ski industry in India is growing steadily but on a smaller scale compared to established skiing destinations in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. Skiing in India is an activity that mostly takes place in the northern states, where the Himalayas are situated. Skiing is administered by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation in India.

The Himalayas provide an excellent skiing experience owing to their great height which makes for long descents. Heli-skiing is also gaining popularity in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand among others. However, skiing in India suffers from a lack of infrastructure.

The potential for the ski industry in India depends on various factors:

Geographic Diversity: India has diverse terrain suitable for different types of skiing, including alpine and cross-country skiing. The Himalayan region, in particular, offers excellent opportunities for skiing enthusiasts.

Climate Change: Climate change has affected skiing industries globally. In India, rising temperatures and unpredictable snowfall patterns could pose challenges to the industry. Resorts at higher altitudes might be less affected, but this is a significant concern.

Infrastructure Development: The growth of the ski industry in India is closely linked to the development of infrastructure, including ski resorts, ski lifts, accommodation, and training facilities. Investments in these areas are crucial for the industry’s expansion.

Tourism Promotion: Skiing can be a significant attraction for tourists, both domestic and international. Effective marketing and promotion of Indian ski resorts can boost tourism and consequently, the ski industry.

Training and Education: Developing skilled local skiers and instructors is essential. Proper training facilities and programs can enhance the quality of skiing in India, making it a more attractive destination for enthusiasts.

Government Policies: Supportive government policies, including subsidies, incentives, and regulations that encourage sustainable tourism and environmental conservation, can contribute to the industry’s growth.

International Collaboration: Collaboration with international skiing organizations and professionals can help in promoting Indian ski destinations and attracting a global audience. 

Given these factors, the ski industry in India has the potential to grow, but it requires strategic planning, investments, and sustainable practices.

Enhancing Efficiency and Accessibility:

With the increased demand for clean energy sources in the world today, hydropower has been among the most popular renewable energy sources around the world. However, constructing hydro power plants is not an easy task. The construction sites for such power plants are sometimes located in remote hilly areas where the development of roads is very costly.

Especially in rugged terrains where accessibility is limited, Aerial Ropeways/Cable Cranes emerge as a remarkably effective solution, offering a multitude of benefits in facilitating construction activities by transporting materials and passengers. M & M Ropeways provides cost-efficient and eco-friendly Ropeways using state-of-the-art technology, designed by European engineers as per the OITAF guidelines and regulations (www.oitaf.org). Let us explore how Ropeways / Cable Cranes contribute to the construction of the hydropower projects.

Easy Access to Hard-to-Reach Places

Most of the hydropower plants are found in hilly and remote regions where the construction of roads would be costly and unfavourable to the environment. It is thus easy to access these sites with the help of Aerial Ropeways. They can span rivers, gorges and other obstacles like forests without having to cut down trees, allowing for efficient transportation of materials. It can link the base area and the construction site without any hindrance, significantly saving cost, time and energy.

Transporting Heavy Equipment and Materials

Heavy construction equipment such as excavators, generators, compressors, penstock pipes, turbines, etc, can be transported using Ropeways/Cable Cranes, reducing the need for extensive road construction. This is especially relevant in remote areas where building roads may be environmentally challenging or financially unfeasible. Cable Cranes are a type of Ropeway that can move loads horizontally as well as vertically, and can transport large and heavy equipment and construction supplies directly to the area where they are precisely required.

Pumped Hydro Storage Projects (PSP)

In recent years, Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS) projects worldwide have increasingly relied on Ropeways and Cable Cranes for construction efficiency. Their ability to handle difficult terrain, combined with their low environmental impact, makes them well-suited for renewable energy projects, aligning with the sustainable goals of a Pumped Storage Project (PSP).

Choosing a trusted Ropeway manufacturing company like ours (M & M Ropeways) ensures that the systems are highly durable, efficient, and suitable for such clean energy projects due to their mobility and ability to operate in different terrains with little impact on the environment.

Faster Construction

Ropeways, therefore, are significantly faster in the transportation of materials compared to conventional modes. Since they can span obstacles like rivers, deep gorges, valleys and forests, they don’t have to deal with land slides, bad roads or blocked paths. This makes construction work efficient and signifies that more projects can be completed within a short time. Ropeways/Cable Cranes can be made to run incessantly, thus ensuring a constant flow of material to the construction site, minimising the chances of construction being stopped.

Dam Construction

Ropeways/Cable Cranes are often used in dam construction. They can span large distances and are suitable for both horizontal and vertical transport of materials. They can transport heavy loads such as concrete segments or construction equipment to precise locations within the dam site. Cable Cranes can handle large volumes of material, making them ideal for dam construction projects where massive quantities of material need to be moved. Also, in case of an emergency, Ropeways/Cable Cranes can provide a means of evacuation for personnel working on the dam.

Safe Transport for Workers

In addition to transporting materials, Ropeways can also transport workers safely to and from the construction sites. Workers can be ferried to remote work sites swiftly and securely, reducing the risks associated with treacherous terrain and hazardous conditions. This not only enhances safety but also boosts productivity by minimising travel time and fatigue among workers, thereby optimising construction workflows. Building roads in hilly terrain is a treacherous and expensive affair. In the rainy season, roads may prove dangerous due to landslides. Ropeways, on the other hand, can operate throughout the year and act as an effective means of transportation to the sites compared to other means.

Protecting the Environment

Another benefit that can be seen with Ropeways is that they have a very low impact on the environment. Construction of roads also entails felling of trees, quarrying of hills and interfering with wildlife. Ropeways, on the other hand, require only a few support towers along the line. Massive clearing of land eliminates many trees, and many species of animals go extinct during the construction of roads.

Elevated infrastructure of Ropeways minimises land clearance requirements, further reducing environmental impact and preserving natural landscapes. One of the basic advantages of Aerial Ropeways built by M & M Ropeways is that they operate with low noise levels and zero emissions, preserving air quality and minimising disturbances to local communities and wildlife. This makes them a better option for development since they contribute to environmental conservation.

Adaptable and Flexible

Aerial Ropeways/Cable Cranes are highly versatile and can be customised to suit the specific needs of hydropower project construction. Ropeways are flexible structures that can be built to operate according to any project requirements. Whether spanning vast distances or navigating complex topographies, Ropeway systems can be engineered to accommodate varying terrain and site conditions. Also, they can be easily modified at different stages of construction. In some projects, Ropeways are integrated with the construction of tunnels and dams to optimise overall project efficiency.

Cost Efficiency

Ropeways/Cable Cranes offer compelling cost advantages over traditional transportation methods like roads. The long-term operational savings and efficiencies outweigh the upfront expenses. Reduced construction timelines, lower maintenance requirements, and decreased reliance on fuel and infrastructure contribute to the overall cost-effectiveness of Ropeway systems in hydropower project construction.

Conclusion

Aerial Ropeways and Cable Cranes play a vital role in the construction of hydropower projects, especially where access is restricted. They facilitate the movement of heavy loads and man-power more conveniently and safely, speed up construction, save the environment, and economise. As the demand for clean energy continues to rise, leveraging the utility of Aerial Ropeways/Cable Cranes will undoubtedly contribute to the successful implementation of sustainable hydropower initiatives worldwide.

Ropeways can significantly reduce transportation time compared to conventional methods, leading to faster project completion.