An under-construction ropeway in Bihar’s Rohtas district collapsed on Friday, forcing an immediate halt to the project just days before its scheduled inauguration on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026. Authorities confirmed that no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.
The ropeway was being developed to improve access for tourists and devotees visiting Rohtas Fort, also known as Rohtasgarh, a prominent tourist destination in the state. The fort, located at an altitude of around 1,400 feet above sea level, attracts large crowds on New Year’s Day, when visitors also throng the nearby Chaurasan temple and Rohitashv temple to offer prayers.
According to officials, several pillars and trolleys of the ropeway were damaged when the structure caved in. The project was in its final stages, and a trial run was expected to take place shortly before the planned opening when the collapse occurred.
The 1,324-metre-long ropeway is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 120.35 million. Designed with five towers, the system was planned to operate trolleys with a seating capacity of four passengers each. The project was aimed at easing movement for visitors while enhancing tourism infrastructure in the region.
Construction of the ropeway has been entrusted to RRPL, a Kolkata-based company. Following the incident, district authorities initiated an inquiry to determine the cause of the collapse.
“A team of officials has been formed for the purpose. The team will visit the site and submit a report,” said a senior official of the Rohtas district administration, adding that the technical snag responsible for the collapse was being examined.
The incident has raised concerns over safety and quality checks in infrastructure projects, particularly those nearing completion and intended for public use.
News source: The New Indian Express
