Patna. The Bihar administration is set to roll out 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 revealed at the Rising Bihar Investor Summit 2026 that preparatory work could commence 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 parameters—including the exact route alignment, station layouts, total investment outlay and technical design criteria—are still being fine‑tuned.
Elevating pilgrimage and tourism flows
Targeted primarily at devotees heading to the Hariharnath Temple, the ropeway will offer a swift, picturesque alternative to traditional river crossings. The scheme aligns with Bihar’s wider strategy to modernise tourism infrastructure, making holy sites more reachable for pilgrims from Patna and beyond.
State officials are also exploring similar ropeway concepts for other religious destinations, such as a potential link between Ajgaivinath Dham in Sultanganj and Aguwani Ganga Ghat in Bhagalpur.
Investor summit highlights growth agenda
During the summit, CM Choudhary urged business leaders to seize Bihar’s burgeoning investment opportunities, pointing to sectors like infrastructure, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and food processing. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari attended the event, reaffirming the central government’s support for Bihar’s infrastructure roadmap.
Flood mitigation remains a parallel focus
The chief minister also used his address to underline the state’s persistent flood challenges. He called for long‑term measures to manage upstream water inflow, reinforce embankments along the Ganga, and capture monsoon runoff for use during the dry season.
Roadmap for the ropeway project
With the Patna‑Sonpur ropeway poised to blend improved river connectivity with tourism expansion, the immediate priorities are finalising engineering designs, locking in private sector partners and securing all necessary clearances before ground‑breaking can begin.
