Sources from MbPT said that IB carried its own study after getting project information and documents from them, and their study is mainly focused on the safety and security point of view.
While 8-km-long Sewri and Elephanta island ropeway is touted to be the longest ropeway mid-sea in the world, however, seems like it has left the Intelligence Bureau (IB) curious. The IB has carried out its own study and internal review of the ropeway project that is going to be completely mid-sea, according to sources from Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) that is executing the project.
Sources from MbPT said that IB carried its own study after getting project information and documents from them, and their study is mainly focused on the safety and security point of view.
A source on condition of anonymity from MbPT said, "Firstly concern would be the safety of operations considering ropeway is mid-sea, second would be security concerns considering it's being built over the sea which has movements of vessels."
The source from MbPT further added, "The study is overall, and for internal purpose only. Generally, if there is any adverse remark, the IB would have got back to us but since there is no feedback, we assume that there are no concerns or if there were any, were addressed post is sharing information about the ropeway project."
According to sources from MbPT, meeting regarding the project was undertaken between MbPT and IB officials that was followed by approval from the Union government. Last week, bids for construction of ropeway on public private partnership (PPP) model was floated by MbPT estimating the cost of around Rs 800 crore.
Earlier, the IB had also conducted an internal study during construction of 22-km-long Sea-link between Sewri and Nhava Sheva also known as Mumbai Trans Harbour Link. The IB had also conducted a security audit of the Mumbai Monorail project.
Meanwhile, the MbPT officials maintain that it has ensured in the bid documents that clauses relating to safety and security during an emergency are mentioned that includes evacuation plan during stoppage of ropeway mid-way including that of an emergency exit and other emergency situations like that of fire and earthquake.
The eight-km-long ropeway is expected to boost tourism in the city, and for which the tentative fare is expected to be around Rs 600 for journey both ways. However, here the whole investment is going to be from the private sector, and MbPT will allow the private firm who builds to earn from the commercial operations in form of ticketing and non-ticketing revenue.
Elephanta caves at Elephanta island is declared as world heritage site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and due to which clearance will have to be taken from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) along with Indian Navy, Coastguard and several other clearances like that of environmental clearances.
HANGING IN BALANCE
Ropeway is expected to boost tourism in the city
IN NUMBERS
1,000 Tourists: According to MbPT estimations, around are visiting Elephanta Island by boat
Around 7 Lakh tourists visit Mumbai daily according to estimates
Rs 600 A two-way tentative fare for using ropeway is estimated
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Mid-sea ropeway")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}