22-Km Ropeway: Darjeeling-Kalimpong Link Gets Green Signal

West Bengal has drawn up plans for a new ropeway connecting Darjeeling and Kalimpong, with the proposed aerial route expected to span around 20–22 km and provide an alternative to the existing road connection between the two hill towns. The plan was finalised as part of a broader tourism master plan discussed at a recent meeting at Nabanna, where the state government reviewed several projects aimed at improving connectivity and strengthening tourism infrastructure across Bengal.

The proposed ropeway is being positioned as both a transport link and a tourism attraction. The existing road journey between Darjeeling and Kalimpong is reported to be around 69 km, with travel taking roughly two-and-a-half hours under normal conditions. During peak tourist seasons, however, congestion can make the journey considerably more difficult. Landslides and other weather-related disruptions can further affect road connectivity in the hills. The proposed aerial route is intended to provide another option when the mountain roads come under pressure.

The project is part of a much larger tourism push being planned by the state. According to the latest reports, the government has also approved plans to explore 12 additional ropeway projects at tourist destinations across West Bengal. The wider master plan provides particular emphasis on North Bengal, where the government plans to expand tourism infrastructure and create new attractions beyond the existing hill-town circuits.

Another major proposal is an international-standard yoga convention centre in North Bengal, with capacity for around 1,000 people at a time. The Tourism Department has been asked to identify a suitable location before the project moves forward. The government sees the centre as part of an effort to promote wellness tourism and attract visitors interested in yoga and a healthy lifestyle.

The state is also arranging for a revamp of its existing tourism infrastructure. Around 40 government tourism properties and tourist lodges are proposed to be modernised to make them more visitor-friendly and affordable. Plans have also been discussed for expanding river tourism and water sports, including new watercraft, while cruise tourism in the Sundarbans and speedboat services around the Digha-Mandarmani coastline are also part of the broader tourism roadmap.

The government has assigned West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal responsibility for monitoring the implementation of these projects, with Chief Minister’s principal adviser Subrata Gupta assisting him. The administration has indicated that departments will be expected to coordinate to move the projects forward, with land and funding not being treated as immediate barriers.

For Darjeeling and Kalimpong, the ropeway could have significance beyond tourism. A direct aerial connection could reduce pressure on the region’s winding roads and offer travellers a faster and potentially more reliable alternative during periods of congestion or disruption. It could also turn the journey itself into a tourism experience, giving visitors an aerial view of the hills rather than another road trip through them.

However, the 22-km ropeway should not yet be described as an under-construction project or as a service opening soon. The latest reports establish a government plan and its inclusion in the tourism master plan, but do not provide a confirmed construction schedule, completion date, fare structure or operational timeline. There is also a minor discrepancy in reported length, with one August 26 report putting the proposed route at approximately 20 km.

If the plan progresses to implementation, the Darjeeling-Kalimpong ropeway could become one of Bengal’s most ambitious new tourism and hill-connectivity projects, potentially turning a roughly 69-km road journey into a far shorter aerial route while adding a completely new way to experience North Bengal’s mountains.