Patna. The state of Bihar is set to commission a seven‑kilometre aerial ropeway that will stretch across the Ganga, joining the lively Marine Drive stretch of Patna with the revered Hariharnath Temple at Sonpur. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary disclosed at the Rising Bihar Investor Summit 2026 that site preparation could begin in the next five months.
Public‑Private Partnership fuels the venture
The project is being pursued through a Public‑Private Partnership (PPP) model. While the overall concept has been approved, key specifics—including the exact cable route, station footprints, total investment outlay and engineering details—are still being finalised.
Catalysing pilgrimage and tourism traffic
Targeted primarily at devotees travelling to Hariharnath Temple, the ropeway offers a swift, picturesque alternative to conventional river ferries. The scheme aligns with Bihar’s wider strategy to modernise tourism infrastructure and make holy destinations more reachable for visitors from Patna and beyond.
State officials are also exploring similar ropeway concepts at other spiritual hubs, such as a potential connection between Ajgaivinath Dham in Sultanganj and Aguwani Ganga Ghat in Bhagalpur.
Investor summit highlights growth priorities
During the summit, CM Choudhary urged business leaders to tap into Bihar’s burgeoning investment climate, pointing to opportunities in infrastructure, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and food processing. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari attended, reaffirming the central government’s support for Bihar’s infrastructure agenda.
Flood mitigation runs parallel
The chief minister also used his address to draw attention to the state’s persistent flood woes. He called for long‑term measures to regulate upstream water flow, reinforce embankments along the Ganga and capture monsoon runoff for use in drought‑prone districts later in the year.
Roadmap for the ropeway project
With the Patna‑Sonpur ropeway poised to blend improved river crossing with tourism expansion, the immediate agenda centres on finalising technical designs, locking in private partners and securing all regulatory clearances before breaking ground.
