NGT probes alleged ‘Environmental Violations’ in Bijli Mahadev ropeway project, adds builder as respondent
Photo used for indicative purpose only
New Delhi/ Shimla, Nov 17,
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken note of alleged violations of environmental norms in the construction of the 2.4-kilometre ropeway project at Bijli Mahadev in Kharal Valley, Himachal Pradesh, while hearing two connected cases on Thursday. The matter came up before the Principal Bench in New Delhi, comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr A. Senthil Vel, who observed that “in both the original applications, common issue in respect of violation of environmental norm in the construction of 2.4 km long ropeway project at Bijli Mahadev, Kharal Valley, Himachal Pradesh is involved.”
The cases—filed by applicant Nachiketa Sharma and by the Bijli Mahadev Mandir Committee—question the compliance of mandatory environmental procedures in the ongoing ropeway construction. During the hearing, the respondents informed the Bench that they had filed their replies, with the State of Himachal Pradesh and its Forest Department placing their responses on record in OA 523/2025.
Counsel for the applicants submitted that the ropeway is being executed by Ravi Infrabuild Projects Limited, based in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and sought that the company be added as a respondent. The Bench accepted the request, recording in its order that “the project proponent is also required to be impleaded. The oral prayer made by them is allowed.”
The applicants were permitted to correct the cause title, file an amended memo of parties and serve notice to the newly added respondent, which will now be required to file its reply before the next hearing.
The applicants also sought time to file rejoinders to the replies submitted by the respondents. The Tribunal allowed this, noting that “learned Counsel for the Applicants have also sought a week’s time to file the rejoinder.”
The Principal Bench has listed the matter for further hearing on 27 November 2025.
About Ropeway
The proposed ropeway links Pirdi village on the banks of the Beas-river in the Kharal Valley to the hill-top temple complex of the Bijli Mahadev at about 2,460 metres altitude in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. According to the project documentation, it covers a distance of approximately 2.4 km and is intended to reduce the travel time to the hill shrine from around three hours by road to about seven minutes by cable car, with a projected passenger capacity of 36,000 daily. The project — estimated at a cost of around Rs 284 crore — has drawn widespread local opposition for alleged environmental and cultural concerns. Critics say that major clearances were obtained without full carrying-capacity or slope-stability studies, and flagged deforestation and slope cracking near the construction area as evidence of ecological risk.
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