Tender floated with strict safety norms on September 8, scrapped two days later under “pressure from above”
The Haridwar Municipal Corporation (HMC) has sparked a fresh controversy by cancelling a tender for the Mansa Devi ropeway just two days after it was floated. The tender had been specifically designed with a “safety-first” ethos, a direct response to a reprimand from the Uttarakhand High Court over the city’s previous approach to the sensitive project.
The reversal, announced via a notice dated September 10, cited only “unavoidable reasons” for the cancellation, fueling speculation of political or bureaucratic interference. The move has reignited questions about the civic body’s resolve to put public safety above all else, particularly after years of public scrutiny.
A Corrective Step UndonThe Mansa Devi ropeway is a vital lifeline for thousands of pilgrims visiting the hilltop shrine each day, and its safe operation is a matter of paramount public interest.
Earlier this year, the Uttarakhand High Court had reprimanded the state government for a previous tender that controversially allowed general infrastructure companies—with no specific expertise in ropeways—to bid for the project. The court made it clear that ropeway systems, which directly affect passenger safety, were not comparable to projects like flyovers or roads.
In response, the HMC had meticulously drafted the September 8 tender with strict eligibility criteria. It required bidders to have a minimum of 10 years of experience in passenger ropeways, a spotless safety record, and a track record of successfully operating modern systems. This move was widely seen as a significant and overdue step towards securing public trust.
The abrupt U-turn, however, has undone this progress and casts a long shadow over the corporation’s decision-making process.
The controversy takes on heightened significance in the context of recent tragic events. While ropeway accidents have occurred elsewhere in the country, the local administration is keenly aware of the safety risks specific to this site. In July, a tragic stampede on the pedestrian path to the Mansa Devi temple resulted in multiple deaths, placing the issue of crowd management and pilgrim safety at the forefront of the public agenda.
The HMC’s sudden reversal, just weeks after that incident, has surprised and frustrated officials who had worked to implement the new, stringent safety norms.
An official from the civic body, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed dismay. “The message from the court and the public was clear—only seasoned, specialist companies should run such projects. Safety cannot be compromised,” the official said. “The cancellation risks sending the wrong signal entirely.”
With the tender now scrapped and no new process announced, the future of the Mansa Devi ropeway hangs in the balance. The abrupt decision has left the public wondering whether safety, for the time being, has been relegated to a secondary concern.
