Pathibhara (Mukumlung) Cable Car: A Detailed Overview
Preparatory
The Pathibhara (Mukumlung) Cable Car, which was ongoing at the Pathibhara (Mukumlung) religious pilgrimage site in eastern Nepal, is mired in dispute at an early stage of construction.
The cable car project is pending due to controversy between anti-cable and pro-cable car groups. As of this writing, no agreement has been reached for a final decision between the Nepali government and the No-Cable Car groups. So, the opposition is going on, and construction has almost stopped.
Although a road has been constructed from Taplejung district headquarters (Phungling Bazar) to Kaflepati (Lower base point), a jeep vehicle service is operating. It is still a three-hour uphill walk from this point to the temple area.
Pro-construction parties claim that reaching the top of the temple is particularly difficult for the elderly, children, and the physically challenged. The government and the cable car supporters say that the construction of the cable car will enable such devotees to visit the religious site, which will also benefit the local people’s economy.
However, the next side of the public, including the local indigenous Limbu community, opposes the construction of the cable car, arguing that it will endanger the existence of the Limbu community’s ancient pilgrimage site and cause them to lose their identity.
Pathibhara (Mukumlung) Cable Car: Project Overview
- Location: The Pathibhara (Mukkumlung) Cable Car Project is proposed in the Pathibhara Religious Forest area, located a little north of Phungling Bazaar, the headquarters of Taplejung district in the far eastern north of Nepal. The Shrine is situated at 3,794 meters on Top of Pathibhara Hill.
- Spanning: The Proposed Pathibhara (Mukumlung) Cable Car will be 2.75 km long and connect Kaflepati (lower station) to near Pathibhara Devi Temple area (upper station), which is about 700 meters above.
- Registration: Although this cable car has been discussed and processed for decades, the Nepalese government only approved it in 2018 and declared it a national priority. Subsequently, the executive meeting of the Phungling Municipality granted the construction permit to Pathibhara Mata Darshan Cable Car Pvt. Ltd. on May 27, 2018.
- Implementation: In November 2024, despite the opposition of some local people, Constituent Assembly member Dumbardhwaj Tumbahamphe and Phungling Municipality Mayor Amir Maden laid the project’s foundation stone, and construction work started on January 21.
- Funder and Contractor: The project is registered under the name Pathibhara Darshan Cable Car Pvt. Ltd., funded by the Chandra Dhakal-led IME Group, which invests in Nepal’s tourism sector. Himalayan Construction Pvt. Ltd. is carrying out the construction work under the contract.
- Occupied area: 29 ropanis (approximately 3.6 acres) of land have been purchased to build the entry point (base station) of the 2.75-kilometer-long cable car. The rest of the ropeway route passes through the religious forest area.
- Capacity: This ropeway has 38 gondolas, 36 for passengers and 2 for cargo, and will take visitors from the base station to the upper station in 10 minutes and 31 seconds.
- Costing and construction period: The project, estimated to cost Rs 3 billion, is targeted to be completed within 15 months. (As of date 2025)
- Pro-construction claim: The Pathibhara Temple area currently receives 300,000 tourists annually. After the construction, the cable car will attract 1 million tourists, including many Indians. It will provide an easier journey and positively impact the local people’s income.
- Cons- construction claim: This cable car’s construction will destroy the religious area’s natural environment. It will also eliminate the identity of the local indigenous community.
History of Pathibhara (Mukumlung) Cable Car Processes
The history of the cable car construction process in the Pathibhara area is almost 4 decades old. This project has long involved various groups, individuals, and administrative interests.
However, it was not implemented due to the country’s situation, lack of roads and electricity, legal complications, etc. Lets look at the following facts to understand all these past steps related to cable car:
First Proposal
When the road to Pathibhara started being built at the same time, i.e., in BS 2044, during the ceremony when Birendra King and Queen came to inaugurate the road, it is said that Chwang Tenzing Sherpa, a businessman from Olangchungola, proposed building a cable car in Pathibhara.
However, at that time, modern cable cars like the ones we have today had not entered Nepal. There were only a few ropeways for transporting goods in Nepal. Therefore, many did not believe in the cable car proposal, and the matter disappeared over time.
Goverment Formed the Pathibhara Area Development Committee
Then, in BS 2054 BS, seeing the increasing popularity and importance of Pathibhara, the Government of Nepal formed the Pathibhara Area Development Committee. However, the Pathibhara Devi Conservation Committee, which was formed at the people’s level, also continued to function. There have been disputes at various times due to the lack of coordination and jurisdiction issues between these two committees with similar objectives.
First construction company registered and surveyed
The same Businessman, Chwang Tenzing Sherpa, had formally proposed the Pathibhara (Mukumlung) Cable Car to Keshav Prasad Dahal, the then-chairman appointed to the Pathibhara Area Development Committee formed by the government. It is also said that on their initiative, Chwang Tenzing, Sonam Tenzing, and Phurbu Balung, among others, registered the Kanchenjunga Cable Car Pvt. Ltd. in 2054 BS.
Under the same project, an Indian and a Nepali engineer were called to the Pathibhara area to survey the cable car. A survey plan was also made to complete all the work at a total cost of Rs. 13 million.
Work could not begin due to lack of infrastructure
Taplejung did not have the infrastructure development that it has today. There was a lack of sufficient electricity to operate the cable car, the road for transporting goods was bad, and there was no bridge over the Kabeli River. Due to these difficulties, the project could not take shape. Thus, due to the lack of infrastructure, the construction proponents of that time withdrew from the project.
Dispute due to 2 companies registered for the Cable car project
According to Anand Gautam, a journalist from the national daily Kantipur, former mayor of Biratnagar Municipality Dhruv Narayan Shrestha registered Pathibhara Cable Car Darshan Pvt. Ltd. with an interest in the construction of the Pathibhara Cable Car and purchased 92 ropani land in Kaflepati for this.
But even before Dhruv Narayan Pradhan, Subhash Sanghai of the Sanghai Group had registered the Triveni Cable Car Company and obtained a recommendation from the local forest group. Thus, since two construction companies were registered for the same project at the same place, the issue became controversial and was postponed for a few years as an administrative issue.
After the restructuring of the state of Nepal and the formation of a new local government with new rules and laws, the executive meeting of Phungling Municipality permitted Pathibhara Mata Darshan Cable Car Pvt. Ltd. for construction on 13 Jestha 2075.
Yeti Group leaves, IME Group takes over the project
Yeti Group was preparing to invest and start construction processes. Ang Tshering Sherpa, the former owner of Yeti Airlines, had visited this project for a site visit. But he died in a sudden helicopter crash on Fagun14, 2075 BS.
Thus, after the unfortunate death of Ang Tshering Sherpa, his successor sold this project to the IME Group. Only then did Chandra Dhakal of the IME Group take the lead in constructing the Pathibhara (Mukumlung) Cable Car.
Thus, various local personalities, public representatives, the Government of Nepal, and investors have been involved in multiple stages and processes of constructing the Pathibhara Cable Car for the past four decades. However, the IME Group or Chandra Dhakal was not involved in all these past processes.
When did the dispute begin?
There are different opinions of different personalities about when the opposition to the Pathibhara Cable Car started. Some say it was opposed for a long time in the past, but in a subtle form, and now it has become widespread. Some people say that it has only been a few years since the opposition to the cable car started.
Reason of controversy
The Pathibhara (Mukumlung) cable car has been discussed for decades and has a long history. However, controversies have increased significantly in recent years, especially since construction began. Therefore, the following reasons seem to be prominent for the growing dissatisfaction:
- The eastern hilly region of Nepal has been inhabited by the Rai and Limbu, as well as the Kirat people of Nepal, since ancient times. They, therefore, call themselves the indigenous people of Nepal. The indigenous people consider Pathibhara (Mukumlung) hill a center of their traditional religious belief and revere this sacred place as a deity mentioned in their main text, the Mundhum. They believe that the construction of the cable car will destroy their indigenous identity and sacred natural environment.
- In addition, the Nepalese government is currently at its most unpopular stage in history. So, the number of Nepali people opposing the government is increasing daily, so it is natural to oppose any project brought by the government. People do not want any new projects at present, but they want the exit of Nepal’s old and corrupt leaders. That is why the voices of opposition have increased a lot.
- Various types of businesses are run by different local people in the Pathibhara cable car construction area. Some people have expressed concern that after the cable car is built, its operator will open large hotel businesses, displacing those local businesses.
- Pathibhara Hill Forest is a religious forest with countless Lali Guras (Rhododendrons), Nepal’s national flower. However, Many Lali Guras trees will be cut down during the construction of this cable car, which is why the opposition has increased.
- Although this project’s history is long, many discussions and an atmosphere of consensus should have been created before starting the construction work. Moreover, since the local people are divided into various political factions, there has not been enough practice to reach a consensus. Due to this, the people of the opposition group may feel that their self-respect has been hurt or that the leaders have implemented this project by suppressing their pride.
Now, let us look at the arguments or statements of both sides supporting and opposing the Pathibhara (Mukumlung) cable car, which are as follows:
Arguments or statements of opposing cable car (No-Cable Car Side )
- The Pathibhara or Mukumlung area is the center of the natural and ancient religious beliefs of the local Indigenous people; there should be no modern or external interference in it.
- Suppose the Pathibhara (Mukumlung) Cable Car is built here. In that case, the sacred jungle will be destroyed, the natural goddess will be angry, chaos will arise, and the existence of religious glory will be in danger.
- This cable car’s advanced machinery interferes with the serene, peaceful environment of the shrine or temple area.
- Modern constructions, including cable cars, will destroy the original religious identity of the indigenous people. It harms the traditional culture and customs.
- Cable cars are not necessary in this area. Building a road will be enough.
- After the cable car is built, people will not be able to enjoy the real pleasure of walking.
- The easy access of the cable car will increase the number of unwanted people there and they will turn the religious area into a dating site.
- This cable car will only benefit the builder and external businessmen, the local people will not get anything.
- The construction of the cable car will only benefit big businessmen, the traditional business and employment of the local people will be lost.
- During the construction of the cable car, many beautiful trees, including Lali Guras (Rhododendron arboreum) will be cut down, and wild animals and the natural environment will be destroyed.
- The cable car will increase the number of people, increase the pollution of the garbage, and the real religious and natural environment will be destroyed.
Arguments or statements of supporting cable car (Yes-cable car side)
- The Pathibhara (Mukumlung) Cable Car is a symbol of modern development. It is a convenient means of public transport, suitable and necessary for traveling through steep hills like the Pathibhara area. In addition, it improves connectivity with remote areas and promotes regional development.
- The cable car is just a development system. It has no concern with destroying ethnic traditional identity or distorting the religious identity of the indigenous people.
- The cable car will fulfill the dreams of all the elderly, sick, disabled, and handicapped people who want to visit Pathibhara but are unable to walk. It will also add a facility and amusement to all visitors’ pilgrimage journeys.
- The cable car is already using as transportion mean for many pilgrimage sites in Nepal, including Manakamana, Maulakalika, Bhaleshwor, and others. There is no religious association that the goddess will be angry if such a means is built.
- The upper station of the Pathibhara (Mukumlung) Cable Car will also not interfere with the Pathibhara temple area. This station will be built 10 minutes away from the shrine area. The ropeway line will also go 200 meters away from Kanchithan and other temples on the way.
- The construction of the cable car will reduce the journey that currently takes at least 3 hours of difficult walking uphill, saving time and labor. Pathibhara will be reached in 20 minutes from the base station.
- Even if the cable car is built, the trekking path will not be destroyed, will more improve it, and people who like to walk can use it.
- The construction of the cable car is the least forest-destructive means of transportation infrastructure worldwide. For this reason, less than 50 percent fewer plants will be cut here than if the road were built.
- According to the Nepal Forest Law, if a businessperson has to cut down a forest to carry out a project, he will have to pay compensation much more than the damage done to the forest. According to this rule, 25 new trees will be planted in return for every tree cut down. After that, they will be protected for 5 years and handed over to the government.
- After the construction of the cable car, it is estimated that the current 3 lakh devotees coming here will increase to 1 million, which will help the temple coffers and the income of the entire local population.
- Cable car work will not affect the businesses of local old business people. Still, increasing the number of pilgrims will help consume and commercialize local products.
- After the completion of this project, 300 people will get direct employment, of which 80% will be locals. Only technicians and experts who are unavailable there will be brought in from outside.
- Like other cable cars, a certain percentage discount will be available for the elderly, sick, disabled, students, and locals.
- This project has passed the environmental test report, and no further ecological destruction will be allowed in this area.
- For Solid waste management will be coordinated with the local municipality, Pathibhara Development Organization, and the cable car operator.
- If the Pathibhara (Mukumlung) Cable Car is built in this area, it will further increase tourists’ attraction to Nepal due to its proximity to the border with India’s northeastern Darjeeling. It will also positively impact the tourism industry in eastern Nepal, including the Ilam district.
Disputes and Events of clashes between the two sides
For some time now, a conflict has been created in the Taplejung district between the cable car supporters and the opposition, who have taken a stand with the statements and arguments mentioned above.
But the most unfortunate incident has already happened twice before. On the day the foundation stone of the cable car was laid, a clash arose between the supporters and opponents of the cable car.
That is, on November 8, 2024, Chandra Maden and Arjun Limbu were injured in a clash between the two sides and the police during the foundation stone-laying program.
After that, the people of both the supporters and the opponents also organized Rallies, demonstrations along local paths, and slogan processions to express their public opinion.
Similarly, another unfortunate incident occurred on January 25, 2025, in the Baludanda area of Pathibhara, in protest against the construction of the cable car. In which at least five people were injured. Two protesters, Yam Bahadur Limbu of Tehrathum and Sagun Laoti of Panchthar, were seriously injured, with bullets hitting their chests and thighs, while many police personnel were also injured.
After this, the protesters called for a strike on various roads and checkpoints entering the Taplejung district.
After repeated clashes and obstruction of construction work, the Nepal government formed a negotiation team and held two rounds of talks, but the talks did not reach a conclusion.
As of this writing, the Pathibhara (Mukumlung) Cable Car dispute remains confused.
Conclusion
Cable cars are a suitable boon for promoting transportation and tourism in a Himalayan country like Nepal. This means of transport can be built in less time, with less environmental damage and less land degradation, and can provide good alternative transportation facilities to travelers. There are probably no two opinions on this matter.
However, any development project without the support and cooperation of the local people is counterproductive. Whether the Pathibhara (Mukumlung) Cable Car is truly destructive, as the opponents say, or beneficial, as the supporters say, is a matter for the local people, local government, and local technical or intellectual community to decide. It is not appropriate for outside parties to interfere in it.
Therefore, let there be continuous talks between both parties about this, and let this issue or dispute be settled amicably forever. Best wishes in advance.
May Devine power of Pathibhara (Mukumlung) bless everyone.
If you are interested in Cable cars in Nepal in detail, please visit this page: Cable Cars in Nepal: Opportunity and Challenge
Note: This article has been prepared to clarify the issue and history of the cable car in the Pathibhara (Mukumlung) area, the people’s statements and arguments, and various related topics in a single article. It also aims to keep the real facts about this alive as history.
However, if something is still missing from this article or any fact is wrong, please let us know; we will always be ready to correct it.
