Foundation stone laid for Jalpa Devi Cable Car in Chisapani, Kailali

KATHMANDU: The foundation stone for the Jalpa Devi Cable Car, set to be constructed in Chisapani, Karnali, Kailali district, was laid on Saturday. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, inaugurated the 3.1-kilometer-long cable car project during a special ceremony held in Lamki Chuha Municipality-3, Karnali Chisapani.

Addressing the event, Minister Rana emphasized the transformative potential of the Jalpa Devi Cable Car in driving economic, social, and cultural development in the Sudurpashchim Province.

“Sudurpashchim is rich in tourism, culture, tradition, and biodiversity. Alongside its natural resources, this region stands out for its cultural unity and harmony,” she remarked. “This ambitious cable car project, along with the accompanying tourism infrastructure, will significantly contribute to the prosperity of Sudurpashchim and the entire nation,” she added.

Minister Rana appealed for the support of local residents to ensure the project is completed on time. She also encouraged further investment in tourism and infrastructure in the region, considering its untapped potential.

“I warmly welcome IME Group, a business entity engaged in constructing cable cars and tourism infrastructure across all seven provinces of Nepal, to Sudurpashchim Province. I hope this project will be completed on schedule, leveraging their expertise, experience, and capacity,” she stated.

Developmental Significance Highlighted by Ministers

Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi, expressed optimism that the cable car and other infrastructure projects will play a pivotal role in the development of Sudurpashchim Province. He underscored the need for increased private sector investment to address the lack of physical infrastructure in Nepal’s western regions.

“Modern infrastructure in provinces like Sudurpashchim, Karnali, and Lumbini is still scarce. We welcome initiatives like this and encourage more such projects in our region,” he said. Minister Shahi also emphasized using domestic timber for such developments while ensuring that forest resources act as enablers rather than obstacles to development.

Boost to Tourism and Economic Growth

Chief Minister of Sudurpashchim Province, Kamal Bahadur Shah, pointed out that the cable car and resort in Karnali Chisapani, the gateway to the province, would enhance adventure, religious, and recreational tourism.

Chandra Prasad Dhakal, Chairman of Jalpa Devi Cable Car Pvt. Ltd., highlighted the transformative power of tourism for Nepal’s economic, cultural, and social development. “Investment in tourism infrastructure is essential to attract more visitors, extend their stay, generate foreign exchange, create jobs, and increase revenue,” he stated.

Dhakal emphasized the significant role of tourism in generating employment and revenue compared to other service sectors. He noted that the foundation stone-laying ceremony has energized their vision of establishing a cable car tourism circuit across Nepal.

Project Details

The Jalpa Devi Cable Car will stretch 3.1 kilometers from Chisapani in Lamki Chuha Municipality Ward No. 3 to Rajkanda in Mohanyal Rural Municipality Ward No. 7. It will feature 34 gondolas and require an investment of NPR 5 billion.

The bottom station will include facilities such as the cable car terminal, a hotel, a casino, and a banquet hall. Meanwhile, the top station will host a resort, a temple, a skywalk, walking trails, restaurants, a children’s park, and other tourism and recreational infrastructure.

The project is set to become a landmark development, heralding a new era of tourism and economic growth in Sudurpashchim Province.