Maharashtra PWD floats tender for Mumbai's first ropeway in Mulund
Synopsis
Mumbai is a step closer to its first ropeway — but the finish line is still far. Maharashtra PWD has floated a tender for a consultant to design an aerial link from Mulund's foothills to Taramati Mata Temple inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park, complete with a hilltop observatory overlooking Tulsi Lake. Forest and environment clearances from the Centre are still required before a shovel hits the ground.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra PWD has floated a tender to appoint a consultant for Mumbai's first ropeway in Mulund .
The proposed ropeway will connect Mulund's foothills to Taramati Mata Temple inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) .
Mulund BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha confirmed the development, clarifying the project does not extend to Borivali.
The consultant's scope includes topographical, geotechnical, and environmental surveys, plus a full project cost estimate.
The proposal also includes a hilltop observatory offering views of SGNP and Tulsi Lake .
The project requires clearances from the Centre's forest and environment departments before construction can begin.
The Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) has invited bids for the appointment of a consultant to prepare a comprehensive architectural design for Mumbai's first ropeway — a proposed aerial link connecting the foothills of Mulund to Taramati Mata Temple inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The tender marks the first formal government step towards a project that Mulund BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha had championed during the 2024 assembly election campaign.
What the Tender Covers
The scope of the tender is extensive. The appointed consultant will be tasked with identifying suitable ropeway alignments and station locations, assessing land requirements, and benchmarking international ropeway systems. Engineering investigations will span topographical, geotechnical, geodetic, hydrographic, and reconnaissance surveys.
The consultant will also be required to prepare the detailed ropeway alignment and system design, identify origin and destination stations, and estimate the overall project cost. Critically, the scope includes assessing the project's social, environmental, forest, and wildlife impacts — a reflection of the ecological sensitivity of the SGNP corridor.
MLA Kotecha Clarifies Scope, Dismisses Speculation
Mihir Kotecha, who confirmed the government's move on Monday, was quick to address what he called 'misplaced speculation' about the project's extent. 'This tender is not for a commercial ropeway from Mulund to Borivali. It is exclusively for a ropeway within Mulund, connecting the foothills to Taramati Mata Temple, which is located within the boundaries of Sanjay Gandhi National Park,' he said.
Kotecha added that the project would proceed only after the detailed design is finalised and all requisite clearances are obtained from the Centre's forest and environment departments — a process that could take considerable time given SGNP's protected status.
Tourism Vision: Temple Access and a Hilltop Observatory
Beyond easing access to the temple, the proposal envisions a broader tourism upgrade. Kotecha said the project includes plans for an observatory at the hilltop, designed to offer panoramic views of Sanjay Gandhi National Park and the adjoining Tulsi Lake.
'We have proposed a beautiful observatory where tourists can seek the blessings of Taramati Mata Temple by taking the ropeway and also soak in the breathtaking views of Sanjay Gandhi National Park from the observatory,' he said. 'The entire proposal is aimed at boosting tourism not just in Mulund but across Mumbai.'
Why This Project Is Significant
Mumbai, one of India's most visited cities, currently has no operational ropeway. The Mulund project, if executed, would be the city's first. This comes amid a broader national push to develop ropeway infrastructure at religious and tourist sites — several projects have been sanctioned under the Parvatmala Yojana, the Centre's national ropeways development programme launched in 2022.
However, the project faces a non-trivial regulatory hurdle: any infrastructure within or adjacent to SGNP requires clearances from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and adherence to wildlife protection norms. Similar projects in ecologically sensitive zones across India have faced prolonged delays at this stage. The timeline for groundbreaking, therefore, remains open-ended pending both consultant appointment and regulatory approvals.
Point of View
The gap between a consultancy bid and a commissioned ropeway can span years, especially inside a protected national park. The SGNP setting is both the project's biggest draw and its most significant obstacle: forest and wildlife clearances have derailed or delayed far better-funded projects in similar corridors. The Mulund ropeway's real test will come not at the design stage, but when the environmental impact assessment lands on the Centre's desk. Until then, the tourism vision — temple access, a Tulsi Lake observatory, Mumbai's first ropeway — remains aspirational.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mulund ropeway project in Mumbai?
It is a proposed aerial ropeway that would connect the foothills of Mulund to Taramati Mata Temple, located inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The Maharashtra PWD has invited bids for a consultant to prepare the architectural design for the project, which would be Mumbai's first ropeway.
Will the ropeway run from Mulund to Borivali?
No. Mulund BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha has explicitly clarified that the tender is not for a commercial ropeway between Mulund and Borivali. The project is confined entirely to Mulund, linking the foothills to Taramati Mata Temple within SGNP.
What approvals are needed before the ropeway is built?
The project requires clearances from the Centre's forest and environment departments before construction can proceed. Since Taramati Mata Temple lies within Sanjay Gandhi National Park, compliance with wildlife protection norms is also necessary. The detailed design must be finalised first.
What is the observatory planned as part of the ropeway project?
The proposal includes a hilltop observatory at the temple site that would offer panoramic views of Sanjay Gandhi National Park and the adjoining Tulsi Lake. It is intended to enhance the tourism experience alongside temple access via the ropeway.
What is the current status of the project?
The Maharashtra PWD has floated a tender to appoint a consultant — this is the design and feasibility stage. The consultant will conduct surveys, benchmark international ropeway systems, assess environmental impacts, and estimate project costs. Construction timelines remain undetermined pending approvals.
