With growth of population and fast increasing infrastructure and civic aminity requirements shortage of space is a constraint being faced universally, and accordingly possibilities are being explored both above and below the ground surface.
Access is a major constraint in the growth and development of mountainous regions and creation of transport infrastructure in the hilly terrain is not easy. It requires heavy investment of both, time and resources as it is accompanied by formation cutting and bridge construction. Moreover, recurring investment is required for maintenance as the roads are often marred by landslides and toe erosion by streams and rivers.
The recurring cost of road maintenance often works out to be extremely high. Ropeway is therefore put forth as an efficient means of transportation in the hills. It therefore becomes highly pertinent to review the plans made way back in the 19th century to connect Nainital through ropeway from Kathgodam.
पहाड़ो में चट्टानों को काटने व पुलों के निर्माण के कारण जहाँ एक ओर सड़क निर्माण की लागत काफी बढ़ जाती है, वही दूसरी ओर नियमित रूप से होने वाले भू-स्खलनों के कारण सड़को के रख- रखाव पर भी नियमित रूप से काफी व्यय करना पड़ता है। फिर कई दूर – दराज़ के इलाको में इन सड़को पर प्राय: यातायात भी काफी कम ही रहता है जिसके कारण यातायात के मितव्ययी व सुविधाजनक साधन के रूप में रोप वे (रज्जु मार्ग) को एक विकल्प के रूप में देखा जाने लगा है और सरकार भी इस पर गम्भीरता से विचार कर ही रही है।
इस परिप्रेक्ष्य में 19वी सदी के उत्तरार्ध में नैनीताल को काठगोदाम से जोड़ने के लिए तैयार की गयी रोप वे (रज्जु मार्ग) की परिकल्पना का पुनरावलोकन किया जाना औचित्यपूर्ण प्रतीत होता है।
Despite disastrous landslide of 1880, Nainital witnessed fast growth of population after the First War of Indian Independence. This warranted convenient, speedy and efficient means of transporting goods and provisions to the hill station from Kathgodam.
Hanna, a resident of Nainital, thus came up with the proposal of wire ropeway between Kathgodam and Nainital in May, 1887 for the carriage of goods. Nainital Ropeway Company Limited was accordingly constituted in the beginning of 1888, with Hanna its Managing Director.
Detailed surveys were undertaken for finalising the alignment of the proposed ropeway and the construction cost was estimated to be Rs. 180000. It was estimated that the venture would result in net annual income of Rs. 25000.
From the very beginning the management of the Company realised that the venture would not be feasible without state patronisation. The Company therefore sought various concessions from the government. Some of these, including postal subsidy were however expressly refused.
The government however granted the Company a right of way that involved the right to pass over the ground at a height of not less than 10 feet (3 meters) above the surface measured from the lowest point of the suspended load. The government at the same time conceded the grant of land up to 10 acres, and the right to use the water free of cost.
Private land as also any private rights in water, where needed, were however to be acquired by the Company, and at the same time the Company was entrusted responsibility of returning all water to its course after utilising the same elsewhere.
Three plots were accordingly allotted to the Company by the Municipal Board at a nominal rent of Rs. 1.00. At the same time the Company purchased a plot near the Brewery in April, 1890 from Lala Durga Lal Sah, a well known banker.
Even though everything was proceeding according to the plan, doubts started to surface amongst the investors as to the ability of the Managing Director to execute the scheme. Two of the Directors brought forth these doubts before the shareholders in July, 1890.
Hanna was therefore called upon to produce a concrete proposal for the construction and operation of the ropeway. He however asked for, and was granted time, so as to consult certain experts in England. In the meanwhile all further work on this scheme was stopped.
Unfortunately Hanna became mentally ill and could prepare no plan as was expected by the shareholders. Hanna’s illness proved out to be the death blow to this ambitious scheme and despite support and help from the government the Company could not retain the confidence of the shareholders and moreover, no suitable person could be found to carry forward the mantle of Hanna. Liquidation seemed the sole option and in September, 1891 the Company did opt for voluntary liquidation. The land granted by the government was consequently taken back.
Some 20 years later there was a faint attempt to revive this scheme. In March, 1908 some Shaw, writing from England, asked the Municipal Board to verify certain statistics of the traffic between Kathgodam and Nainital, and asked to put him in contact with some retired engineer. The Board’s reply was however not encouraging, and the matter ended there.
Even though the ropeway could never materialise, entrepreneurship and vision of Hanna needs to be recognised. Possibilities of materialising this dream could at the same time be explored and with the present volume of passenger and goods movement between Kathgodam and Nainital this venture is sure to be economically viable.
Anonymous says
What about railway connectivity? If Shimla could be connected, technology was certainly not a constraint. Weren’t efforts made to connect Nainital?
Interesting to note that such an idea was conceived at that time.