The IME Group is set to construct a new cable car connecting Devghat in Chitwan with the Maulakalika Temple in Nawalpur, aiming to strengthen religious tourism and improve connectivity between two important pilgrimage destinations. The proposed cable car will cover a distance of around two kilometers, with the group planning to complete the project within two years.
New Cable Car to Connect Two Religious Destinations by IME Group
The proposed project will provide a direct cable car connection between Devghat and the Maulakalika Temple area, allowing visitors to travel between the two destinations more conveniently. Devghat, located at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Trishuli rivers, is one of Nepal’s prominent religious destinations.
Maulakalika Temple, situated on Maulakalika Hill in Nawalpur, is another important pilgrimage and tourism site visited by devotees and tourists throughout the year. The proposed connection is expected to create a combined tourism circuit linking the two destinations.
IME Group Already Operates Maulakalika Cable Car
IME Group is already operating a cable car service to Maulakalika Temple, with its existing system connecting the bottom station at Gaindakot with the Ila Hotel area near the temple.
The new project will extend the connectivity from the Devghat side, creating another access point to the Maulakalika area. According to the group, the project is expected to be completed within two years once the necessary processes are completed.
Environmental Assessment Underway
IME Group Chairman Chandra Prasad Dhakal said preparations for the cable car project connecting Devghat and Maulakalika have moved forward. According to Dhakal, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the proposed project is currently underway. The completion of the environmental assessment and other required procedures will pave the way for the construction of the new cable car infrastructure.
Project Expected to Boost Religious Tourism
Dhakal said the project is expected to increase religious and tourism-related movement between Devghat and Maulakalika once it comes into operation. Both destinations hold strong religious significance and attract pilgrims from different parts of Nepal. The new cable car is expected to make it easier for visitors to combine both destinations in a single trip, potentially encouraging longer stays and greater economic activity in the surrounding areas.
Potential for a New Religious Tourism Circuit
The proposed cable car could add a new dimension to tourism in the region by linking two established pilgrimage sites through modern transportation infrastructure. With Devghat’s religious heritage and Maulakalika’s hilltop temple and existing cable car facilities, the project could help develop a more integrated religious and tourism circuit between Chitwan and Nawalpur. The initiative is also expected to support local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, transportation services and other tourism-related enterprises, as visitor movement between the two destinations increases.
