The Rajasthan government is set to connect Amber, Jaigarh, and Nahargarh forts, spanning 13 kilometres within a leopard sanctuary, through a ropeway aimed at facilitating tourist movement.

Unofficial estimates suggest the project will cost approximately Rs 4 billion. Amber Fort, the state's most frequented tourist attraction, welcomed 2 million visitors in 2023-24, up from around 1 million in 2021-2022, according to government figures. Nahargarh Fort saw 1.05 million visitors in 2023-24 compared to 0.7 million in 2021-22.

Officials from the Amber Development and Management Authority (ADMA) recently visited Amber Fort to discuss the ropeway project.

Initially, the plan aimed to link Nahargarh Fort and Jal Mahal, situated in the middle of Man Sagar lake. However, it has now been revised to connect Amber and Jaigarh forts via the ropeway.

These forts lie within the Nahargarh Leopard Sanctuary managed by the forest department, where regulatory challenges initially hindered the ropeway project. Nevertheless, tourism department officials remain hopeful of securing necessary approvals from the Centre.

Additionally, the tourism department plans to develop parking facilities near Amber Fort and upgrade the light and sound show. The development of tourist amenities around Amber Fort will be modelled on the lines of the Taj Mahal, with a focus on establishing hotels and restaurants for visitor convenience, while parking facilities will be situated away from the fort itself.

(Source: Business Standard)