Karnataka Tourism Minister Directs Officials to Expedite Nrupatunga Betta Ropeway Project
Karnataka Tourism Minister K J George has directed officials to expedite the long-delayed ropeway project at Nrupatunga Betta in Hubballi. The directive aims to revive the decade-old proposal to develop a major tourist attraction at the 70-acre hillock under a public-private-partnership (PPP) model, which currently awaits clearance from the Forest Department.
The proposed ropeway, which has remained on paper for ten years, is planned to run from the top of Nrupatunga Betta to a point near a small water body near Patrakarta Nagar at the foot of the hillock.
An earlier plan to connect the top of Nrupatunga Betta to Unkal Lake failed because the alignment crossed railway tracks, roads, and residential areas. Subsequent proposals for a zip-line on the slopes of the hillock also did not materialise. Other discussed ideas for the site have included an elevated glass platform, a museum-like open gallery, a binocular point, a musical fountain, and a themed laser show.
RITES Ltd has already conducted a feasibility study for the project, which is one of 13 ropeway projects across the state that the minister has directed officials to fast-track.
Hubballi MLA Mahesh Tenginakai expressed optimism about the project, stating that he will follow up on the proposal now that it has received a positive response from the minister.
However, the project requires clearance from the Forest Department, which owns the 70-acre land. Nrupatunga Betta is known as a walkers' paradise and offers a panoramic view of Hubballi. Tourism Department assistant director Hemanth Desalli noted that major development works at the site require land handover or formal permission.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Vivek Kavari stated that the department has received the proposal for the ropeway and has sought certain clarifications since the site is a forest area. Once these clarifications are received, the proposal will be forwarded to the department’s regional office for a final decision on the permission.
