Patna: Bihar is preparing to develop a ropeway across the Ganga to connect Patna with Sonpur, with Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary announcing that construction of the proposed project is expected to begin within the next five months.
The approximately 7-km ropeway is planned to link Patna’s Marine Drive area with the famous Hariharnath Temple in Sonpur, providing an alternative mode of transport for devotees and tourists travelling between the two locations.
The announcement was made at the Bihar Investor Meet held at the Taj Hotel in Patna. The project is part of the state government’s broader efforts to improve infrastructure and expand tourism facilities.
Marine Drive to Hariharnath Temple: Proposed Route
According to the announcement, the ropeway will begin in the Marine Drive area of Patna and extend across the Ganga towards Hariharnath Temple in Sonpur.
Once operational, the proposed link is expected to offer passengers a different way to cross the river while improving access to an important religious destination.
However, detailed information about stations, passenger capacity, fares and the final alignment has not yet been provided in the announcement.
Project to Be Developed Under PPP Model
The Patna-Sonpur ropeway is proposed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, under which public authorities and private-sector participants share roles in developing and delivering infrastructure projects.
Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary had previously announced the proposed ropeway during the inauguration of the Shravani Mela. His latest statement indicates that the government is targeting the start of construction within five months.
The actual timeline will depend on the completion of the required planning, approvals and implementation arrangements.
Ropeway Expected to Boost Religious Tourism
The project is intended to improve access to Hariharnath Temple, which attracts devotees to Sonpur. It could also add a new transport experience for tourists visiting Patna and the surrounding region.
The state government has been emphasising tourism infrastructure, with the Chief Minister directing the Tourism Department to explore ropeway projects at different locations.
If implemented as planned, the Patna-Sonpur route could provide an additional connection between the state capital and a prominent religious destination across the Ganga.
Another Ganga Ropeway Proposed in Bhagalpur
The government has also announced a proposed ropeway project in Bhagalpur district.
The planned route would connect Ajgaibinath Dham in Sultanganj with Agwani Ganga Ghat, providing another potential means for devotees and tourists to cross the river.
The project is part of the broader proposal to develop ropeway infrastructure at locations with religious and tourism significance. Further implementation details for the Bhagalpur project remain to be established.
CM Highlights Investment and Infrastructure Development
Addressing the Bihar Investor Meet, the Chief Minister also appealed to entrepreneurs to invest in the state and assured them that the government would provide the necessary facilities and security for businesses.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari was also present at the event.
The discussions covered infrastructure development, investment opportunities and tourism-related projects aimed at expanding Bihar’s economic activity.
Flood Protection Along the Ganga Also in Focus
The Chief Minister also referred to flood management and the rising water levels of the Ganga. He highlighted the volume of water entering Bihar from upstream regions, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Nepal’s Terai areas.
He said the government was working towards developing embankments along both sides of the Ganga as part of efforts to address flood risks.
The proposed ropeway and the government’s wider infrastructure plans form part of its stated focus on connectivity, tourism and development across Bihar.
