The French government has again drawn the attention of the government to move ahead with the process of operating cable car service in Kathmandu Valley. French Ambassador in Nepal Jill Burbao on Monday called on Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Renu Kumari Yadav to give importance to this issue.
"France is ready to provide immediate assistance in infrastructure development in the cable car sector if Nepal so desires," said the ambassador. She said that they wanted to help Minister Yadav as both Nepal and France are hilly countries and France has special experience in the cable car sector.
Most of the French ambassadors to Nepal repeat the same thing in their meetings with the Minister of Transport. The reason is the feasibility study done by the French government at its own expense to operate the cable car for passenger service in the valley.
France has already submitted a report to the government with the conclusion that cable cars can be operated on four routes in Kathmandu. For that, France has been urging to work by ending the investment modality.
A detailed feasibility study conducted showed that commercial cable cars could be operated in Kathmandu Valley. The study concluded that cable car could be operated for passenger service in Kathmandu Valley by investing Rs. 15 billion.
The report proposes the first cable car route from Kalimati to Bouddhanath via Basantapur-Ratna Park-Dilli Bazaar-Bhandarkhal-Chabahil. It is mentioned that there should be 7 stations on this 7 km route.
The other destination is from Gongbu to Balaju-Sohrakhutte-Kalimati-Balkhu-Tribhuvan University. Similarly, the study states that cable cars can be operated from Kalanki to Ratna Park via Teku-Thapathali as well.
The report states that cable cars can also be operated on the route from Lagankhel to Pulchowk-Thapathali-Ratna Park. In this report, it is mentioned that you can get a cable car from one station to any place on a fare of Rs. 40.
It states that the use of cable cars is important and scientific in reducing traffic congestion. With the help of the French government, the French companies MDP, Poma and Sastra, along with Panchakanya Group and Kalika Construction it will take five years to finish all the construction. French companies are experienced in cable car construction, management and operation. Poma is a company that has already connected 8,000 cable cars in 80 countries.
The report also suggests that the government should provide land for the construction of cable car stations. The report suggests that the project can be modeled on a public-private partnership.
After the French Ambassador suggested to work according to the report, Minister Yadav thanked the Government for conducting a feasibility study of the cable car and said that the Government of Nepal would take forward the plan implementation process in consultation with the agencies and the French Embassy.
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