What is it with the latest fetish for ropeways over our public spaces? While recent developments with respect to feasibility studies for a ropeway being planned across the Marina caught the eyeballs, there has been some movement on another similar grandiose plan, that of one in Mahabalipuram which was announced in mid-2025. The Chennai Metro Asset Management Limited (CMAML), the body entrusted with the execution of the project has recently awarded the consultancy contract for preparing a Detailed Feasibility Report to a Delhi-based company. Also covered in the ambit is the preparation for a similar report for a High-Altitude Ropeway Transport System in Kodaikanal.
The announcement of the project seems to in line with other recent initiatives to promote tourism in the heritage town, both by the Union Government and the State Government. In late 2024, the Union Government sanctioned nearly Rs 100 crores for the creation of a Nandavanam Heritage Park, comprising a sprawling garden, an activity and cultural space and also an open arena for events and gatherings. In July 2025, newspapers reported a 10-year tourism destination master plan by the State Government, involving development of beach circuits, cultural trails, botanical gardens and adventure zones. Last month, an investment of Rs 100 crores for infrastructural development in the region was announced by the State Government during the inauguration of the Tamil Nadu Global Tourism Summit 2026, as well as the setting up of a Special Area Development Authority for Mahabalipuram. The Hon’ble Chief Minister also inaugurated one of the tourism promotion projects, a glow garden, the first of its kind in the state. It is essentially an entertainment hub, comprising an amphitheatre, food kiosks, selfie points, walkways lined with artificial trees and plants, on land belonging to the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation.
Coming to the ropeway, one cannot help but look at this idea with anything other than disbelief. Undoubtedly, facilities such as ropeways and cable cars make for a wonderful experience and greatly aid in boosting tourism potential, besides providing for transportation in terrains where other means are not possible. But surely, some serious introspection is required before even thinking of such an initiative for a UNESCO World Heritage site? While such a project makes sense for a hill-station like Kodaikanal, where a ropeway can offer stunning views of the landscape, what can it possibly offer for Mahabalipuram, where the places of interest are anyway not on any elevation but on the ground? We are told that this cable system is designed to offer visitors a unique panoramic experience of the monuments, but what value addition does this bring?
The entire region is already threatening to be taken over by real estate development in a huge manner. This journal has expressed in unequivocal terms the perils of unregulated development (see MM, Nov 1-15, 2023) and how it could potentially threaten its status as a UNESCO protected site. It must also be kept in mind that the slew of projects announced to transform the entire area must conform to the CRZ regulations. And we know of the state’s abysmal track record with respect to this. While all the enthusiasm and noise with regards to showcasing a jewel of our heritage and improving the tourism experience is welcome, it should be remembered at every stage of every project that they are only add-ons and not the centre pieces of the ecosystem, whose sanctity cannot be threatened at any cost. We cannot afford to let them overshadow the grandeur of the place, for it would bring along the huge risk of the place ultimately being treated as just yet another tourist spot, with the focus on the architectural magnificence lost. Projects such as ropeways are completely unnecessary adventures which are best avoided. The tourism experience can certainly be enhanced by instead focusing on ‘ground level’ issues such as ensuring better roads, addressing parking woes, cleanliness and traffic management.