CM Shivakumar meets Usha Breco team on Karnataka ropeway plan
Synopsis
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met a delegation from Usha Breco Limited at Vidhana Soudha on 23 July 2026 to discuss developing a passenger ropeway project in Karnataka, signalling a push to boost the state's tourism infrastructure through private-sector partnership.
Key Takeaways
The Chief Minister's Office of Karnataka confirmed a meeting between CM D.K.
Shivakumar and Usha Breco Limited on 23 July 2026 at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru .
The delegation was led by Usha Breco's Managing Director Apurv Jhavar , with Director A.S.
Mathur and Vice-President Vipin Kumar also present.
Discussions centred on the development and management of a passenger ropeway project to promote tourism in Karnataka.
The initiative aligns with the Parvatmala National Ropeways Development Programme launched by the Government of India in 2021-22 .
No specific route decisions or project timelines were announced following the meeting.
The Chief Minister's Office of Karnataka announced on Thursday, 23 July 2026 that a delegation from Usha Breco Limited, led by Managing Director Apurv Jhavar, met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru to discuss the development and management of a passenger ropeway project aimed at boosting tourism in the state.
Context
The post, shared by the official Chief Minister's Office account, stated in Kannada that the Usha Breco team met the Chief Minister 'ಪ್ಯಾಸೆಂಜರ್ ರೋಪ್ವೇ ಯೋಜನೆಯ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಮತ್ತು ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದಂತೆ' — that is, 'regarding the development and management of the passenger ropeway project.' Director A.S. Mathur and Vice-President Vipin Kumar were also present at the meeting alongside other officials.
The meeting was held at Vidhana Soudha, the seat of Karnataka's legislature and government, signalling the state's intent to advance the ropeway initiative through formal engagement with an experienced private operator.
Policy Backdrop
The discussion fits within a broader national push for ropeway infrastructure. The Government of India launched the Parvatmala National Ropeways Development Programme in 2021-22, encouraging states to build ropeway corridors for tourism and last-mile connectivity, particularly in hilly and ecologically sensitive areas.
Karnataka, with its Western Ghats, hill stations, and temple-town circuits, has long been identified as a state with significant ropeway potential. Ropeways are seen as a sustainable alternative to widening mountain roads, reducing vehicular pressure and environmental degradation at tourist hotspots.
Stakeholders and Impact
Usha Breco Limited is a company with experience in passenger ropeway development and management across India, making it a relevant private-sector partner for such an initiative. The involvement of its Managing Director and senior leadership in a direct meeting with the Chief Minister underscores the seriousness of the proposal.
Karnataka's tourism industry and visitors to the state stand to benefit if ropeway corridors are developed at key destinations. Improved access to sites in hilly terrain can reduce travel time, ease congestion, and open up locations that are currently difficult to reach by road, particularly for elderly or differently-abled visitors.
What's Next
The immediate next steps would typically involve feasibility studies, identification of specific ropeway routes, and eventual tender processes for construction and operation. No specific project decisions, timelines, or route announcements were confirmed in the official communication.
Observers will watch for formal project approvals or public-private partnership agreements that could translate Thursday's discussions into on-ground infrastructure, as Karnataka looks to strengthen its position as a leading tourism destination in southern India.
Point of View
A space where the state has lagged behind Himalayan counterparts in ropeway deployment. It signals the government's intent to move from policy intent to operator-level engagement, which is typically the precursor to formal project structuring. The timing is notable given the Centre's Parvatmala programme, which provides a funding and policy framework that Karnataka can tap. Whether this translates into a bankable project will depend on feasibility outcomes and the state's ability to fast-track land and environmental clearances in sensitive terrain.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Karnataka passenger ropeway project?
The Karnataka passenger ropeway project is a state initiative to develop ropeway systems at tourist destinations in Karnataka, aimed at improving access to hilly and scenic sites while reducing road traffic and environmental impact.
Who is Usha Breco Limited?
Usha Breco Limited is an Indian company with experience in developing and managing passenger ropeway systems across the country. Its Managing Director Apurv Jhavar led the delegation that met CM D.K. Shivakumar on 23 July 2026.
What is the Parvatmala National Ropeways Development Programme?
The Parvatmala National Ropeways Development Programme is a Government of India initiative launched in 2021-22 to build ropeway infrastructure for tourism and connectivity, especially in hilly states, encouraging public-private partnerships.
Where was the Karnataka ropeway meeting held?
The meeting was held at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, the seat of Karnataka's state government and legislature, on 23 July 2026.
What are the next steps for the Karnataka ropeway project?
No specific decisions or timelines were announced after the 23 July 2026 meeting. Typical next steps would include feasibility studies, route identification, and tender processes for construction and operation of ropeway corridors.
