A view along the Nadukani Pavillion-Moolamattom route in Idukki.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The misty hills of Idukki is gearing up for ‘sky-high’ transformation with the Tourism department looking for government approval to start the first steps for a cable car service in the district. A ₹3-crore allocation in the last State Budget had kick-started this ambitious plan to connect Moolamattom and Nadukani Pavilion via an aerial ropeway along the scenic Thodupuzha–Puliyanmala State highway. With the Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) and Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation (IPRCL) submitting proposals to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the initiative, the department is now awaiting a green light from the government to take this dream to the next level.

The proposed Moolamattom-Nadukani Pavilion Cable Car Service would be modelled on the lines of the cable car service in Gulmarg, Kashmir.

According to sources, a decision was taken in a recent Tourism department meeting to implement the project soon. It would be implemented in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

A view along the Nadukani Pavillion-Moolamattom route in Idukki.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

‘A milestone‘

District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) secretary Jitheesh Jose said that the project would be a milestone for tourism development in the district, especially in the Kattappana-Thodupuzha route.

“The Kattappana-Thodupzuha route is the least developed tourism area in the district. The cable car service from Moolamattom to Nadukani Pavilion will draw more tourists to the district. In addition, Kalvari Mount, Idukki Kudiyeta Smarakam, Hill View Park as well as the Idukki and Cheruthoni dams along the route will also attract more tourists,“ said Mr. Jose.

He said that after the Cantilever Glass Bridge was installed in the Wagamon Adventure Park, tourist footfall in Wagamon nearly doubled and became the place receiving the highest number of tourists in the district.

Mr. Jose said that with the installation of the cable car service in Nadukani, the area would transform into a significant tourism hub.