Kathmandu Valley Urban Transportation System Project (Ropeway)

proposed

ADB has initiated support for sustainable cable car transit in Kathmandu Valley, conducting a pre-feasibility study that identified the Bishnumati river corridor as a suitable route, avoiding UNESCO sites and religious areas. Despite limited local capacity to manage urban and rural transport effectively, the study shows potential for cable-propelled transit to reduce congestion and pollution. Current private sector cable car projects in Nepal mainly cater to tourism, while the need for accessible, affordable public transport solutions remains unmet. To bridge this gap, ADB's TA will include a detailed feasibility study for the Bishnumati corridor and pre-feasibility analysis for two rural routes, assessing demand, economic viability, propulsion systems, and freight options. The project will integrate advanced clean energy components, including renewable energy integration, electric propulsion systems, regenerative braking, digital twins for energy efficiency, battery storage feasibility, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for optimizing energy and structural efficiency. The project will support capacity building for cable propelled transit (CPT) systems, focusing on integrating clean energy technologies through training, workshops, and institutional strengthening to enhance operational and technical expertise. It will also aim to create a robust, sustainable public transport framework by integrating policy development, organizational support, regulatory standards, and resilience measures.