On March 5 2025, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved the following proposals:
i.Revision of Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) with a total outlay of Rs. 3,880 crore.
ii.The construction of a 12.4 kilometer (km) ropeway from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji in Uttarakhand under the National Ropeways Development Programme (NRDP)– Parvatmala Pariyojana at a total cost of Rs. 2,730.13 crore.
iii.The construction of a 12.9 km ropeway connecting Sonprayag to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand under NRDP – Parvatmala Pariyojana, at a total cost of Rs. 4,081.28 crore.
Union Cabinet Approves Revision of LHDCP
i.The Union Cabinet has approved the revision of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) to improve livestock health. It consists of 3 main components:
1.National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP),
2.Livestock Health and Disease Control (LHDC) and
3.Pashu Aushadhi, a newly added component focusing on affordable veterinary medicines.
iii.The scheme has a total outlay of Rs. 3,880 crore for 2 years 2024-25 and 2025-26, which includes Rs. 75 crore allocated for providing high-quality, affordable generic veterinary medicines and incentives for the sale of medicines under the ‘Pashu Aushadhi’ component.
iv.The programme also includes 3 sub-components: Critical Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP), Establishment and Strengthening of Existing Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries – Mobile Veterinary Unit (ESVHD-MVU) and Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD).
v.The program will focus on controlling diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), Lumpy Skin Disease through vaccination and improved healthcare facilities.
vi.The scheme also facilitates doorstep delivery of livestock healthcare through the ESVHD-MVU, including Pashu Aushadhi, via a network of Pradhan Mantri Kisan (PM-Kisan) Samriddhi Kendras and Cooperative Societies.
Cabinet Approves Construction of Ropeway Project from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji, Uttarakhand
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved the construction of a 12.4 km ropeway connecting Govindghat and Hemkund Sahib Ji in Uttarakhand.
- This initiative is part of the ‘NRDP-Parvatmala Pariyojana’, aiming to enhance connectivity and promote tourism in hilly regions.
- The project will be developed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) basis at a total capital cost of Rs. 2,730.13 crore.
Ropeway Specifications:
i.Technology: The ropeway will utilize Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) technology for the Govindghat-Ghangaria section (10.55 km) and Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology for the Ghangaria-Hemkund Sahib Ji section (1.85 km).
ii.Capacity: Designed to transport 1,100 Passengers Per Hour Per Direction (PPHPD), accommodating up to 11,000 passengers daily.
iii.Duration: The development is planned over a period of 2 years, with the project expected to be operational by 2027.
Note: Hemkund Sahib Ji is a revered Sikh shrine and a pilgrimage site situated at an elevation of 15,000 feet (ft) in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.
Cabinet Approves Construction of Ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
The CCEA approved the construction of a 12.9 km ropeway connecting Sonprayag to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand under NRDP- Parvatmala Pariyojana, aiming to enhance accessibility and promote tourism in the region.
- The project will be developed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) basis at a total capital cost of Rs. 4,081.28 crore.
Ropeway Specifications:
i.Technology: The ropeway will utilize Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology.
ii.Capacity: Designed to transport 1,800 PPHPD, the system aims to serve approximately 18,000 passengers daily.
iii.Duration: The development is planned over a period of two years, with the project expected to be operational by 2027.
About National Ropeways Development Programme (NRDP)-Parvatmala Pariyojana:
i.The Parvatmala Scheme, launched by the Government of India (GoI), to improve connectivity in challenging terrains by developing eco-friendly ropeway networks.
ii.This Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative focuses on boosting tourism, enhancing accessibility to remote areas, and offering cost-effective, sustainable transportation solutions.
iii.The scheme, overseen by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH), is being implemented in various states, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the North East.
iv.In February 2021, the GoI amended the Allocation of Business Rules 1961, enabling MORTH to manage the development of ropeways and alternate mobility solutions.
About Uttarakhand:
Chief Minister (CM)– Pushkar Singh Dhami
Governor- Gurmit Singh
Capital- Dehradun
Dams- Tehri Dam, Tumaria Dam, Maneri Dam
