HYDERABAD : Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director, J. Raymond Peter said the State Government was likely to give the go ahead to the Tirupati - Tirumala ropeway project at its next review meeting.

Speaking to reporters at the inaugural of Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) here on Friday, Mr. Peter said the survey for alternate alignment suggested by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) was completed and the final clearance from Government was awaited.

Three alternate alignments within the ambit of the Government Order issued in the wake of apprehensions expressed by TTD were surveyed. The TTD had suggested the ropeway at a level lower than the sanctum on the seven hills, keeping in view the religious sentiments of pilgrims.

The ropeway was to be at a height of 921 ft. as per the initial survey while the sanctum was located at 857 ft. With reservations expressed by TTD, the alternate sites were surveyed at a height of 840 ft.

Cost, length escalation

Mr. Peter said the length of the ropeway would increase from 6.34 kms. to 7.0 kms. after the realignment. Pilgrims would have to travel another one km. by road to the temple from the point where the ropeway ends. The cost of the project has escalated to Rs.300 crores from the three-year-old initial estimate of Rs. 200 crores.

He said the project would be implemented with Austrian technology, a world leader in ropeway construction. It would be completed in 18 months. About 40,000 pilgrims a day could be ferried up and down Tirupati and Tirumala. The travel time would be 18 minutes.

On completion, it would be the largest in Asia. It would be a safe, environment-friendly and accident-free mode of transportation. Mr. Peter also said the Government had already assigned land for the project.

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