Deorali Ropeway service hit tourists and locals

Gangtok, January 12:As a side effect of colonization in the then neighbouring country India, modernization along with industrialization had slowly set its foot in Sikkim, which was an independent kingdom until 1975. With the setting up of new structures, introduction of modern education and the influx of the Indian nationalities, the air of civilization was also catching its pace in Sikkim.One such example is the ropeway service at Deorali. Reconstructed and reintroduced in the year 2003, the Gangtok Ropeway services have a new definition to it. What used to serve as a mode of carrying heavy goods during the kings’ rule now has become a major tourist attraction. “Nowadays when tourists visit Sikkim they prefer to do two things; firstly they visit the monasteries and secondly, they make it a point to take a cable car ride. Hence one can say that Cable car ride is the second most important thing in the state right at the moment”, exclaims S. Chatterjee, Accountant cum side in charge of Gangtok Ropeways, Deorali. Though in the beginning the ropeway services could not get much response as expected, but within the years and with people becoming more aware of it, the ropeway started doing well. During peak tourist season, the services are non- stop, he added.The cable car services were reintroduced by the Urban Development & Housing Department (UD&HD) under the initiative of State Government. Other than ferrying tourists, the motive was to use this service as a mode of transportation by locals whose office is at the Secretariat and Assembly House. This in a way has proved helpful to the office goers, especially during peak traffic hours. The Gangtok Ropeway Services are designed, constructed and operated by the Damodar Ropeways & Construction Company Private Limited. With 25 working staffs, the Gangtok Ropeway provides non- stop services from 9:30 in the morning till 5:30 in the evening.

Devika Gurung 
Sikkimmail