Cable cars can ease Valley traffic: Promoters

Good news is at the door of Kathmandu residents fed up with daily traffic congestion and worsening pollution. B&S Urban Cable Car will make the dream of capital residents to see hassle-free movement in a clean environment come true if the firm´s plan to operate cable cars materializes.

This will provide an alternative mode of transport in the Valley, which is full of narrow roads and devoid of any underground sub-ways.

B&S Urban Cable, a Nepali firm, is carrying out a detailed study to operate urban cable cars in Kathmandu.

Entrepreneurs Bhawani Rana and Shyam Mohan Shrestha are the promoters of the firm.

“We estimate that the project will cost between Rs 13 billion to Rs 14 billion at current prices. The cost will hover between Rs 15 billion to Rs 20 billion when the project is completed in four years, with the rise in cost of production over the period,” Rana told Republica on Monday.

Rana said the company has submitted a preliminary study to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. The firm has sought permission from the government for a detailed study. “We will start the detailed feasibility study once the government gives us the go-ahead,” said Rana.

The company has conducted a preliminary study for operating cable cars from Narayan Gopal Chowk to Lagankhel and from Kuleswor to Boudha, with stops at different places.

As per the preliminary study, it will take 15 to 20 minutes to cover a distance that normally takes one hour, due to traffic jams. “Our study showed that around 200,000 customers can travel daily on both cable car routes," said Shrestha.

If the government grants permission, it will take two years for the company to start construction and another two years to complete it. “If everything goes as per plan we will bring the cable cars into operation in four years,” said Shrestha, adding that the government is positive about the project.

The company plans to import ready-made poles for the cable cars, and they don´t require changing the existing infrastructure.

“If the project succeeds it will change the face of the Valley, making it more beautiful and at the same time environment-friendly,” said Rana.

According to the company, a cable car can carry 25 to 30 persons at a time. Rana said the fares for will be similar to other public transport vehicles.

Rana said many foreign companies have shown interest in working with B&N Urban Cable, and they are currently holding talks with some French companies.