In a significant push for innovative urban development, Mizoram Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Vijay Kumar Singh has stressed the urgent need for alternative mobility solutions to ease growing traffic congestion in Aizawl and other urban areas of the state. Chairing a high-level meeting with key stakeholders on Tuesday, the Governor underscored the importance of exploring ropeway-based transport systems under the Centre’s Parvatmala Pariyojana, a national programme aimed at enhancing connectivity in hilly and remote areas through cable cars and ropeways. The meeting, convened in Aizawl, brought together officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), and the State Department of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation (UD&PA). Discussions revolved around strategies to modernize urban mobility while ensuring sustainable growth and public convenience.
Governor Singh pointed out the chronic traffic issues in Aizawl, where the steep terrain and limited road space leave little room for traditional infrastructure expansion. “Given the topography and scarcity of land in Aizawl’s core areas, we must consider innovative options like ropeways to improve accessibility without disturbing the existing urban layout,” he said. He called for identifying feasible sites outside the city centre for project implementation, which could help bypass common obstacles such as land acquisition delays. Emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and inclusive plan, the Governor added that a successful rollout would depend on addressing both connectivity needs and local community concerns. The Parvatmala Pariyojana, a flagship scheme launched by the Union government, envisions establishing ropeway networks in challenging terrains to not only improve connectivity but also boost regional development. According to MoRTH Additional Secretary Vinay Kumar, who participated in the meeting, the initiative will prioritize public utility while promoting local economic growth.
“This programme is more than just a transportation solution. Around 90% of the revenue generated from ropeway operations will be reinvested into local infrastructure and services,” Kumar said. “Our goal is to ensure that benefits from the project are sustained and spread evenly across communities.”During the meeting, UD&PA Secretary Lalsawma Pachuau gave a detailed presentation on the proposed ropeway corridors and other components of the Aizawl Sustainable Urban Transport Project (ASUTP). The urban mobility plan, spread over a 280-square-kilometre area, is designed to create a multi-modal transport system for the city and its surrounding localities.
