Fresh controversy as tender rules changed without board approval
The Haridwar Municipal Corporation’s decision to open the bidding for the Mansa Devi ropeway to road construction companies with no relevant experience has triggered serious concerns over passenger safety, administrative accountability, and procedural transparency.
The matter has drawn public and legal attention, with the Uttarakhand High Court reprimanding the state government for ignoring safety risks.
Tender Tweaks Spark Outcry
On April 9, the Haridwar Municipal Corporation issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the 44-year-old Mansa Devi ropeway. The eligibility criteria were significantly altered compared to the original Expression of Interest (EOI) issued in February, which was restricted to companies with ropeway experience.
Mansa Devi ropeway technology. Municipal Commissioner Dayanand Saraswati emphasised the necessity of this upgrade, stating, “We won’t compromise with the safety of the pilgrims” .
Manoj Dobhal, General Manager of Usha Breco, the company operating the ropeway, acknowledged the use of old technology but assured that maintenance is taken seriously. He mentioned that safety checks are conducted two hours before daily operations
However, the revised EOI published on March 17 allowed firms involved in highways, bridges, metros, tunnels, telecom, and hospitals to bid. As a result, only one of the four shortlisted companies—Usha Breco Ltd—has actual ropeway experience. Usha Breco built and has been operating the Mansa Devi ropeway since its inception in 1981.
Significantly, these changes were made under the current Municipal Commissioner, Nandan Kumar, without obtaining approval from the Municipal Board—a procedural lapse that has raised further questions about the transparency of the process.
Unrelated Land Deal Probe Adds Pressure
Though unrelated to the ropeway tender, former Municipal Commissioner Varun Choudhari is under investigation over an allegedly irregular land deal that took place during his tenure. While the land deal and the current ropeway tender are separate matters, the overlapping scrutiny has heightened public focus on civic administration in Haridwar.
High Court Raps State Government
Adding to the controversy, the Uttarakhand High Court has criticised the state government for failing to address the safety implications of the tender process. The court, which is scheduled to hear the case next on May 7, noted that ropeway systems require specialised technical knowledge and cannot be equated with civil infrastructure like roads or metro projects.
Industry & Operator Voice Concerns
Experts from the ropeway industry have echoed these concerns, pointing out that the revised tender criteria seem better suited to large construction firms than to qualified ropeway operators.
“The financial and technical parameters appear crafted for road and metro contractors,” said a ropeway expert who requested anonymity. “Even Usha Breco, the only experienced operator in the mix, struggles to meet the new requirements.”
Legacy In Balance
The Mansa Devi ropeway was established in 1981 under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model by Usha Breco. The original 30-year contract, with a 10-year extension clause, expired in May 2021. Since then, the state has awarded short-term contracts while planning a long-term arrangement. The current contract ended on April 10, 2025, and the new tender is for a three-year period.
However, with the eligibility criteria now allowing firms with no ropeway experience, critics warn that service quality and passenger safety could suffer.
Safety First, Say Stakeholders
With nearly 2 million pilgrims using the ropeway each year, stakeholders stress that operational expertise and safety must come first.
Can the operation of a critical public transport system be entrusted to companies without ropeway experience—especially when millions of lives are at stake?