Jalpa Devi Cable Car foundation stone laid in Chisapani, Kailali

KATHMANDU: The foundation stone for the Jalpa Devi Cable Car, to be built in Chisapani, Kailali, was laid on Saturday.

Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba inaugurated the 3.1-kilometer-long cable car project at a special ceremony in Lamki Chuha Municipality, Ward No. 3, Karnali Chisapani.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Deuba stated that the construction of the Jalpa Devi Cable Car would play a significant role in the economic, social, and cultural development of the Sudurpashchim Province.

She remarked, “Sudurpashchim is rich in tourism, culture, tradition, and biodiversity. The region is as resourceful as it is harmonious, with its citizens embodying cultural unity. The establishment of this grand tourist infrastructure, including the cable car and hotel facilities, will be a major milestone for the prosperity of Sudurpashchim and the nation.”

The minister called on all stakeholders to support the timely completion of the project and appealed for the active participation of local residents.

She also encouraged further investment in tourism and related infrastructure in the region, considering its potential and needs.

“I extend a warm welcome to business groups like IME, which has been building cable cars and tourism infrastructure across all seven provinces of Nepal. I wish for the timely completion of this project, utilizing your expertise and capacity,” she added.

Similarly, Forest and Environment Minister Ain Bahadur Shahi highlighted the transformative impact the cable car and other related infrastructures would have on the development of Sudurpashchim Province.

He acknowledged the lack of physical infrastructure in western Nepal and urged the private sector to bring in more investments for such initiatives.

“Modern large-scale infrastructure is scarce in the Sudurpashchim, Karnali, and Lumbini Provinces. We welcome more projects like this in our region,” Shahi said, adding that domestic timber should be used in these projects to make forest development complementary to infrastructure growth.

Sudurpashchim Province Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah emphasized that the cable car and resort at Karnali Chisapani, the province’s gateway, would promote adventure, religious, and recreational tourism.

He assured that the provincial government is committed to supporting investments and development projects in the region and encouraged investors to bring in more projects to attract greater investments.

Chairman of Jalpa Devi Cable Car Pvt. Ltd., Chandra Prasad Dhakal, underlined that tourism has the potential to transform Nepal’s economic, cultural, and social landscapes.

“Only by investing in tourism infrastructure can we attract tourists, extend their stay, earn foreign exchange, create more jobs, generate higher revenue, and achieve the economic development and prosperity we envision,” he said.

Dhakal also noted that tourism generates more employment and revenue compared to other service sectors. He highlighted the significance of the foundation laying of Jalpa Devi Cable Car as a boost to the vision of creating a cable car tourism circuit, setting an example for other projects in the country.

The 3.1-kilometre-long cable car will connect Chisapani in Lamki Chuha Municipality Ward No. 3 to Rajkanda in Mohanyal Rural Municipality Ward No. 7.

The project will feature 34 gondolas.

With an investment of Rs 5 billion, the project will include a bottom station featuring a cable car terminal, a hotel, a casino, and a banquet hall.

The top station will house a resort, a temple, a skywalk, walking trails, a restaurant, a children’s park, and various other recreational and tourism facilities.