The long-awaited Sabarimala ropeway project has taken a crucial step forward with the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) granting approval for a field inspection before final clearance.

Officials confirmed that the NBWL standing committee, acting on the recommendation of the State Wildlife Board, has formed a highlevel team to visit the project site soon. The final clearance is expected in the NBWL’s October meeting, which will also secure stage-one approval from the forest department, enabling implementation.

The ropeway project, overseen by the Sabarimala High-Power Committee, was first proposed in 2011 but has faced repeated delays. Forest department concerns over large-scale earth removal and tree felling stalled progress for years. Once operational, the ropeway is anticipated to ease pilgrim travel to the shrine and reduce ecological stress caused by heavy footfall. Officials noted that with both NBWL and forest approvals in sight, the long-pending plan is finally inching towards realization.