Centre approves Hemkunt Sahib ropeway project *CHANDIGARH:* For convenience of the pilgrims, the Centre government has given its approval for ropeway from Gurdwara Gobind Dham to Hemkunt Sahib. The project will cost around Rs 75 crore and expected to finish in 2014 before the commencement of Hemkunt Sahib yatra in summers.
In the first phase of the project, the ropeway will be operational till Gurdwara Gobind Dham which will be later extended to Gobind Ghat. At present, the pilgrims can also commute from Gobind Ghat to Gobind Dham through chopper services which cost Rs 3,500 per person. Hemkunt Sahib is one of the most revered places in Sikhism where tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh meditated before his incarnation as the Sikh guru. Every year, the doors of Hemkunt Sahib open for the Sikh pilgrims on June 1 who can visit till October 5. Later, the Gurdwara is kept closed during the winters as the environmental conditions are not suitable for human visit and survival as the gurdwara is located at an altitude of 4,632.96 metres (15,200.0 ft). http://www.punjabnewsline.com/news/Centre-approves-Hemkunt-Sahib-ropeway-project-.html -- Regards Rajesh Sachdev https://www.facebook.com/leopardguy https://www.facebook.com/groups/indianflora/ --
