Pune: The Peshwe Park to Parvati ropeway proposal has faced strong resistance from citizens and activists, around two decades after it was shelved following fierce public opposition.Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is revisiting a plan to connect Peshwe Park with Parvati. However, within days of the announcement, citizens and urban activists have once again questioned whether the city needs such a project.The PMC standing committee has approved the appointment of a project management consultant for the proposed Peshwe Park-to-Parvati ropeway project. The consultant will prepare a detailed project report (DPR), assess the project’s technical and financial feasibility, and oversee the tendering process.“PMC has proposed the Peshwe Park to Parvati ropeway project to boost tourism in the city. For this, the civic body has made a provision of Rs 1 crore in its 2026-27 budget,” said Shrinath Bhimale, chairperson of the committee.According to PMC officials, the ropeway will be based on electrical and mechanical technology. The civic administration invited tenders for the appointment of the consultant in Aug 2026. The consultant will be paid a fee equivalent to 1.27% of the project cost or a minimum of Rs 2.54 crore, whichever is higher.The scope of work includes conducting a site inspection, preparing the DPR and cost estimates, and drafting the tender terms and conditions. The consultant will also outline the process for obtaining the necessary statutory approvals. In addition, a study will assess the financial viability of executing the project through a public-private partnership (PPP) model or another arrangement.Civic officials said the project had received clearance from the environment department. However, a final decision on its implementation will be taken after the consultant submits its report.“Swargate, in particular, is a key multi-modal transport hub in Pune. With the Metro, buses and other public transport systems, the area already experiences heavy traffic. A ropeway project at such a location could aggravate the existing traffic problems,” said Rucha Joshi, a resident of Satara Road.Hemant Bagul, Yuva Sena Pune city president, said the proposal to construct a ropeway connecting Peshwe Park and Parvati was not feasible.“Sarasbaug, Peshwe Park and Parvati are among the busiest areas in Pune, witnessing heavy daily movement of residents, tourists and devotees. Moreover, parking facilities in the area are already inadequate. Under these circumstances, a ropeway project is likely to increase the number of vehicles and tourist footfall, putting immense pressure on the existing traffic infrastructure,” he said.“The administration must reconsider the project. It could adversely affect the local flora and fauna and the rich biodiversity in the vicinity. A proper assessment of the project’s necessity should have been conducted before initiating the process,” said Nitin Kadam, an NCP (SP) leader from the Sahakarnagar area.Some citizens have also urged PMC to explore an alternative route, suggesting that a ropeway connecting Taljai Hill to Parvati could be more suitable than the proposed Peshwe Park-to-Parvati link.Project at a glanceLength: 750 metresTowers: 5Tower height: 12 to 40 metresCabins: 22Capacity per cabin: 8 passengersTravel duration: 2.5 minutesCarrying capacity: 1,500 passengers per hour in one direction
