Chennai: Indian ropeway makers find it arduous to take up projects

Chennai: Ropeway makers find it arduous to take up projects owing to the move by the government to expand the network in favour of European companies. Local ropeway makers argue that the criteria favour European equipment suppliers, and is likely to lead to a bias in the selection process itself.

 Ropeway projects in so far as Tamil Nadu is concerned are executed only in the hill shrines which draw teaming traffic all through the year. 

There are at present about 4 to 5 local makers of ropeway infrastructure in the country which adhere to Indian standards and use their own technology. But following European standards would mean they would either lose business to foreign companies, or pay hefty royalty for acquiring technology.

  The ropeways association is making representations to the government on this issue. The Indian Port Rail Corp, which has been appointed as the nodal agency, has sought a technology partner in a joint venture to develop, design, and execute projects in compliance with European standards.

 The industry feels that local companies would not have a level playing field in the tendering as potentially a foreign equipment maker would be selected by the nodal agency.

 “This provision is going to benefit European companies like Austrian company Dopplemayr Group and France’s POMA that are trying to enter India. This will also ensure recurring business to these companies as equipment, technology as well as inspection will be provided by them,” the association said in a letter to the Central government.  India has 65 ropeways. 

According to sources, the government has identified ropeway infrastructure to be developed as public transport since it can potentially cut down travel time and is also more environment friendly than other mass transport options.