The material ropeway project at Sabarimala is likely to be ready for commissioning in 2019.
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has signed an agreement with a joint venture consortium of Kolkata-based Damodar Ropeways and Infra Limited and Ahmedabad-based Eighteenth Step Projects Private Limited for the execution of the cargo ropeway project linking the foothills of Pampa with the Sannidhanam.
TDB Chief Engineer P.S. Jolly Ullas told The Hindu that the project was estimated to cost Rs.25 crore.
As per the agreement, the joint venture consortium will design, finance, construct, operate, and maintain the ropeway and facilities on a fixed revenue-sharing basis.
The concession period is 15 years, which is likely to be extended on mutually agreed terms, if the services are satisfactory to the TDB.
The company will have to pay the fixed revenue share at Rs.12 lakh a year to the TDB for the first five years. Thereafter, the revenue share will be increased at the rate of 5 per cent of Rs.12 lakh every two years till the end of the contract period.
The conveyance charge for transportation of materials through the ropeway has been fixed at Rs.1,900 a tonne. The company would deliver the materials belonging to the TDB at different destinations, from the landing point, in tractors at Sabarimala and en route, Mr. Ullas said.
However, for materials belonging to private parties, an additional amount of Rs,400 a tonne would be charged for delivery at their destinations.
G. Mahesh, architect of Chennai-based Pithavadian and Partners Limited, consultants of the Sabarimala Master Plan, said the joint venture consortium would have to obtain the environment clearance for the ropeway project to be implemented in the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR), after conducting the environment impact assessment.
Devaswom Commissioner C.P. Ramaraja Prema Prasad had signed the agreement on behalf of the TDB.