The iconic Manakamana Cable Car, Nepal’s first cable car service, has resumed regular operations starting today. According to Ujjwal Sherchan, Chief of the Cable Car Office, the service had been suspended since September 10 (Bhadra 25) following the Gen Z protests on Bhadra 23 and 24. After a one-week halt, operations have now returned to normal.
Maintenance Conducted During Closure
While the service remained suspended, the management utilized the downtime for routine maintenance and upkeep of the cable car system. Sherchan confirmed that this ensured all technical and safety measures were in place before reopening the service to the public.
Gateway to Manakamana Temple
The Manakamana Cable Car, inaugurated as Nepal’s first cable car system, serves as the primary route for devotees traveling to the revered Manakamana Temple, located in Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality, Gorkha. The temple, dedicated to Goddess Manakamana, continues to attract thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year.
The bottom station of the cable car is situated at Cheres in Ichchhakamana-4, Chitwan, making it a convenient access point for visitors from both Kathmandu and Pokhara. The resumption of services is expected to ease the travel experience for pilgrims and tourists alike.
Symbol of Faith and Tourism
The Manakamana Cable Car has long been a symbol of both religious devotion and tourism development in Nepal. Its uninterrupted service is crucial not only for devotees but also for the local economy, as nearby businesses and tourism activities are closely tied to the inflow of visitors. With the resumption of operations, officials expect a steady rise in visitor numbers, restoring normalcy after the brief disruption caused by external circumstances.
