Sarasbaug-Parvati Ropeway: PMC Approves Consultant, Project to Carry 1,500 Passengers Per Hour

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 31st October 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Standing Committee has approved the appointment of a project management consultant for the proposed Sarasbaug-Parvati ropeway project. Standing Committee Chairman Shrinath Bhimale announced the decision on Saturday.

The consultant will be responsible for preparing the detailed project report (DPR), assessing the project’s technical and financial feasibility, preparing cost estimates and overseeing the tendering process.

The PMC has proposed the ropeway project to boost tourism in Pune. An allocation of Rs 1 crore has been made for the project in the civic body’s 2026-27 budget. However, since the project involves specialised electrical and mechanical technology, the PMC does not have the technical manpower required to handle its planning and implementation. The civic body has, therefore, decided to appoint an external consultant.

The PMC had invited tenders for appointing the consultant in August 2026. The proposed consultancy fee is 1.27% of the project cost or a minimum of Rs 2.54 crore, whichever is higher. GST and other applicable taxes will be charged separately.

The consultant will inspect the proposed project site and prepare the DPR, cost estimates and tender conditions. The scope of work will also include identifying the government approvals required for the project.

The consultant will examine whether implementing the ropeway through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) model would be financially viable. It will also assess the technical and financial bids submitted by interested companies and oversee the process up to the issuance of the work order.

According to the proposed plan, the ropeway will connect Peshwe Park to Parvati Hill, covering a distance of approximately 750 metres.

The project envisages five towers ranging from 12 to 40 metres in height and 22 cabins, each with a capacity of eight passengers. The journey is expected to take around two-and-a-half minutes, with the system designed to carry 1,500 passengers per hour in one direction.

A final decision on the project’s implementation will be taken after the consultant submits its report.

Proposed Sarasbaug-Parvati Ropeway: Key Details

* Route: Peshwe Park to Parvati Hill

* Length: 750 metres

* Towers: 5

* Tower height: 12 to 40 metres

* Cabins: 22

* Capacity per cabin: 8 passengers

* Travel time: Approximately 2.5 minutes

* Passenger capacity: 1,500 passengers per hour in one direction

Consultant’s Key Responsibilities

* Assess the technical and financial feasibility of the project.

* Prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and cost estimates.

* Examine the viability of PPP and DBFOT implementation models.

* Identify and guide the process for obtaining government approvals.

* Evaluate technical and financial bids and oversee the process up to the issuance of the work order.