Patna. The state of Bihar is preparing to roll out a seven‑kilometre ropeway that will stretch across the Ganga, connecting the lively Marine Drive promenade in Patna with the revered Hariharnath Temple in Sonpur. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary disclosed at the Rising Bihar Investor Summit 2026 that preparatory work could begin within the next five months.

Public‑Private Partnership fuels the venture

The project is being executed as a Public‑Private Partnership (PPP). While the overall concept has been approved, key parameters—including the exact route alignment, station layouts, total investment outlay and technical specifications—are still being fine‑tuned.

Driving pilgrim traffic and tourism

Targeted primarily at devotees heading to the Hariharnath Temple, the ropeway will offer a swift, picturesque alternative to traditional river crossings. It aligns with Bihar’s wider plan to bolster tourism infrastructure, making spiritual destinations more reachable for travellers from Patna and farther afield.

State officials are also exploring similar ropeway ideas at other sacred sites, such as a proposed connection between Ajgaivinath Dham in Sultanganj and Aguwani Ganga Ghat in Bhagalpur.

Investor summit highlights growth agenda

During the summit, CM Choudhary urged business leaders to seize Bihar’s burgeoning investment opportunities, pointing to sectors like infrastructure, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and food processing. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari attended the event, reaffirming the central government’s support for Bihar’s infrastructure roadmap.

Flood mitigation remains a parallel focus

The chief minister also used his address to underline the state’s persistent flood woes. He called for long‑term measures to regulate upstream water flow, reinforce Ganga embankments, and capture monsoon runoff for use in drought‑prone areas later in the year.

Roadmap for the ropeway project

With the Patna‑Sonpur ropeway set to merge improved river connectivity with tourism expansion, the immediate priorities are finalising engineering designs, locking in private partners and securing all necessary clearances before breaking ground.