Damodar Ropeways & Infra Limited: Powering India’s Ropeway Revolution with Vision, Sustainability, and Scale
India’s Ropeway Transformation: From Access to Experience
India’s infrastructure landscape is witnessing a quiet but powerful shift. Ropeways—once limited to difficult terrain—are now emerging as strategic tools for tourism, urban mobility, and sustainable development. At the centre of this evolution stands Damodar Ropeways & Infra Limited (DRIL), a company that has not only built ropeways across India but helped redefine what they mean for access, experience, and environmental responsibility.
Founded in 1974, DRIL has grown into one of India’s leading ropeway infrastructure companies, specialising in design, installation, execution, revamping, operations and Maintenance of passenger ropeways, material ropeways, ski-lifts, bulk material handling systems, CHP, and even rope suspension bridges. With decades of executional expertise and operational depth, DRIL continues to shape how India reaches its peaks—both literally and figuratively.
A Legacy That Built an Industry
The foundation of DRIL is deeply rooted in the vision of Late Shri C.L. Chamaria, widely regarded as the Father of Modern Indian Ropeways. A pioneer far ahead of his time, he combined business acumen, legal insight, and an intuitive grasp of technical systems to establish DRIL as a trusted name in cable car infrastructure.
More than an entrepreneur, Shri C.L. Chamaria was a solution-driven leader who believed in integrity, people-first leadership, and perseverance. His ability to anticipate industry needs, introduce innovation, and collaborate across sectors helped elevate India’s ropeway ecosystem at a time when the industry was still in its infancy.
His legacy continues to guide DRIL’s philosophy—service before self, innovation with responsibility, and growth with purpose.
Leadership Driving the Next Phase of Growth
Under the leadership of Mr. Aditya Chamaria, DRIL has entered a new phase—one defined by scale, policy alignment, technology innovations, ITeS adoption, and future readiness. The past few years have been transformational for the ropeway sector, with landmark government reforms recognising ropeways as essential infrastructure.
DRIL played an active role in industry advocacy, including the successful proposal to reduce GST on ropeway tickets from 18% to 5%, aligning it with railways. Policy changes such as eliminated environmental clearances further validate ropeways as sustainable alternatives for connectivity in difficult and ecologically sensitive regions.
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, DRIL demonstrated financial discipline, ensured its workforce was fully taken care of, expanded operations by completing and operationalising 4 ropeways in Madhya Pradesh (Hanumandhara, Chitrakut) , Uttrakhand (Surkhanada, Dhanaulti), Assam (Guwahati) and Jammu & Kashmir (Mubarak mandi) , and accelerated technology adoption across all its ongoing projects under development and also operational. This resilience was recognised with the Herald Global – Prestigious Brands of Asia Award (2021–22) in the Infrastructure – Travel, Tourism & Urban Transport category.
Ropeways as an Eco-friendly & Experiential Infrastructure
Modern travellers value the journey as much as the destination. DRIL’s ropeway systems reflect this shift—combining technical reliability with comfort, safety, and uninterrupted scenic views.
Be it open air cabins or enclosed cabins with Solar powered lights, controlled movement, advanced safety systems with multiple automated and manual redundancies, and panoramic vantage points make DRIL’s ropeways inclusive and accessible for families, senior citizens, and first-time visitors. What was once functional transport has become an experience-led infrastructure asset.
DRIL has created India’s first Urban Ropeway Transport system at Gangtok in April 2003 and India’s Second Urban transport Ropeway across the mighty Bhramputra, connecting north and South Guwahati in Feb 2020. There are many other firsts and feathers in DRIL’s cap as far as the Indian Ropeway Industry is concerned.
Expanding Access Across India’s Diverse Landscapes
DRIL has contributed to ropeway projects across varied geographies—hilltop temples, heritage zones, forest areas, Wildlife parks & Zoos, Entertainment focussed Parks,, and even urban corridors for locals, devotees and tourists. By improving access to elevated destinations, ropeways help decongest roads, enhance visitor flow, and improve safety with far greater conservation of the environment than creating road infrastructure..
Key underconstruction projects include: – The 2 ropeways project @ Vanabar, Bihar, ThePolo Ground to Polo Museum ropeway @ Imphal, Manipur and the Nandi Hill Ropeway project as part of a JV near Bangalore.
These projects will not only enhance tourism appeal but also improve accessibility for devotees, senior citizens, and persons with limited mobility.
Sustainability at the Core
Ropeways are increasingly recognised as environmentally responsible infrastructure. Compared to road construction, they require minimal land acquisition, lower material usage, and reduced ecological disruption.
DRIL’s projects align with India’s sustainability goals—supporting low-impact development while enabling access to sensitive regions. This balance between connectivity and conservation positions ropeways as a future-forward solution for tourism and urban mobility alike.
Economic Impact Beyond Connectivity
The benefits of ropeway infrastructure extend well beyond transport. Improved access leads to increased footfall, longer tourist stays, and higher local spending—directly benefiting hotels, eateries, transport operators, and small businesses.
Additionally, ropeway projects generate long-term employment across operations, maintenance, ticketing, and site management, providing stable livelihoods in regions often dependent on seasonal tourism.
Ropeways and the Future of Mobility
While tourism remains a key application, ropeways are gaining relevance in urban and semi-urban mobility discussions—especially where terrain, congestion, or land constraints limit traditional infrastructure.
With proven execution capabilities, operational experience, and technology adoption, Damodar Ropeways & Infra Limited is well-positioned to contribute to India’s next phase of mobility solutions.
Conclusion
India’s ropeway expansion reflects a broader shift in infrastructure thinking—one that values experience, sustainability, and efficiency. Guided by a strong legacy and driven by forward-looking leadership, Damodar Ropeways & Infra Limited continues to play a defining role in connecting people to places—safely, responsibly, and beautifully.
As policy focus and investment in ropeway infrastructure accelerate, DRIL stands ready to help shape a more accessible, scenic, and sustainable India.
Yummy Eats becomes Udaipur’s new tourist hotspot at Neemach Mata Ropeway
Udaipur, Samachar Jagat Bureau:
In the city of lakes, Udaipur, the famous Neemach Mata Temple situated atop a hill on the banks of Fatehsagar Lake — known among devotees as “Chhoti Vaishno Devi” — has now become more than just a religious site. It has also emerged as a new attraction hub. The reason behind this transformation is the “Yummy Eats” food outlet, located at the summit of the Neemach Mata Ropeway. It offers visitors a unique experience of enjoying the city’s most stunning views while indulging in delicious food.
With the commencement of the Neemach Mata Ropeway, tourists now reach the top of the hill not only for sightseeing but also to savor mouth-watering food. “Yummy Eats” has quickly become one of those rare places in Udaipur where people can relish quality food alongside panoramic views of the entire city. From the serene lake view to the enchanting Aravali mountain range and the majestic cityscape — the overall experience is truly delightful.
The newly introduced ropeway, paired with the tasty and refreshing food, has made this location a memorable and unique spiritual and tourist experience for both devotees and visitors.
Budget 2025: Industry experts believe it is a game changer for India’s tourism and hospitality sector.
Damodar Ropeways and Infra Limited Welcomes Union Budget 2025: A Vision for Sustainable Infrastructure Growth
The Union Budget 2025, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has laid a robust foundation for India’s infrastructural and economic development. At Damodar Ropeways and Infra Limited, we are encouraged by the government’s continued emphasis on infrastructure, employment, and sustainable growth.
Key Highlights of the Union Budget 2025:
- Infrastructure Development:
- The government has allocated substantial funds for infrastructure projects, focusing on enhancing connectivity and urban development. This includes significant investments in roadways, railways, and urban infrastructure, which are pivotal for the nation’s progress.
- Employment and Skilling:
- Introduction of the ‘First Timers Scheme’ aims to provide financial support to individuals entering the formal workforce, benefiting over 2.1 crore youth. Additionally, the government plans to skill 20 lakh youth over five years, ensuring a competent workforce for the future.
- Sustainable Practices:
- A notable focus on sustainable development is evident with initiatives promoting natural farming and the establishment of bio-input resource centers. These steps align with global environmental goals and reflect a commitment to sustainable growth.
Aditya Chamariya’s Perspective:
Our Managing Director, Shri Aditya Chamariya, has consistently emphasized the importance of sustainable infrastructure development. He believes that the budget’s focus on infrastructure and employment will not only bolster economic growth but also create numerous opportunities in the construction and infrastructure sectors. The emphasis on skilling the youth is particularly commendable, as it ensures a steady pipeline of trained professionals ready to contribute to the nation’s development.
Our Commitment:
Damodar Ropeways and Infra Limited remains dedicated to contributing to India’s infrastructural growth. We are committed to aligning our projects with the government’s vision of sustainable and inclusive development. By leveraging our expertise and adhering to the highest standards of quality and safety, we aim to play a significant role in the nation’s journey towards a developed and self-reliant India.
In conclusion, the Union Budget 2025 presents a promising roadmap for the future. We look forward to the opportunities it brings and are eager to contribute to the nation’s progress through innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions.
For more insights and updates on our projects, stay tuned to our official blog.
Now pre-book your morning Yoga experience with a view along with the Neemach Mata Ropeway Ride!
With the new initiative, visitors can now learn yoga along with their visit to Neemach Mata. This initiative is significant from both religious and health perspectives, as it offers devotees not just a spiritual experience, but also the benefits of physical and mental rejuvenation.
Yoga practice brings benefits such as mental peace, physical health, and self-realization, which can be especially beneficial for those visiting religious sites. This step aims to provide visitors with a holistic and well-rounded experience, beyond just rituals and prayers, at these sacred places.
As part of this initiative, devotees and tourists can now participate in yoga classes along with their visit to Neemach Mata. They will be taught yoga asanas, pranayama, meditation, and other techniques for physical well-being, providing a new sense of balance and mental peace.
you can contact Tejeswani, the instructor of the yoga class.
दैनिक जागरण – रोपवे कर्मचारियों ने श्रद्धालु के गुम पर्स को खोज निकला
स्टार समाचार – रोपवे कर्मचारियों ने श्रद्धालु के गुम पर्स को खोज निकला
Flipboard – Soaring Above: A journey on India’s most scenic ropeways
The Print – Soaring Above: A journey on India’s most scenic ropeways
ANI – Soaring Above: A journey on India’s most scenic ropeways
