Gujarat : Strong Winds Force Shutdown of Girnar Ropeway, Tourists Disappointed

Junagadh, Gujarat — The Girnar Ropeway, one of Asia’s longest and most iconic temple ropeways, has been temporarily shut down due to strong winds and adverse weather conditions in the Girnar region of Junagadh. The closure has disrupted travel plans of hundreds of tourists and pilgrims who had planned to visit the sacred peaks of Girnar, including the revered Ambaji Temple.

The ropeway, managed by Usha Breco Limited, has remained closed for the past four days due to continuous high wind speeds. According to Kulbirsingh Bedi, the resident manager of the Junagadh ropeway, “The ropeway service has been suspended purely for safety reasons. Wind speeds on Girnar peak have touched 50–54 km per hour, which is beyond operational safety limits. We’ve informed all advance booking passengers via text messages.”

This is not the first time the Girnar Ropeway has been closed. The service is routinely suspended during the monsoon and winter seasons when strong winds pose a safety hazard. Tourists arriving in Junagadh were left disappointed, as the ropeway is the primary mode of easy access to Girnar’s hilltop temples, reducing a strenuous 10,000-step climb into a 10-minute journey.

“I came with my family from Ahmedabad to visit Ambaji Temple. We were excited about taking the ropeway, but now we’re forced to wait or climb the stairs. There’s no clear timeline for reopening,” said disappointed tourist Manish Mehta.

The Girnar Ropeway, inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has become a major spiritual and tourism attraction in Gujarat. It offers breathtaking views and links the foothills of Girnar to its historic temples, including ancient Jain and Hindu shrines dating back to the 3rd century.

While the ropeway has helped boost Junagadh’s tourism economy significantly, the safety-first approach taken by Usha Breco is seen as necessary. “This ropeway was built with world-class safety systems. Closing it during harsh weather is inconvenient but essential to prevent accidents,” said a spokesperson from the Gujarat Tourism Department.

Locals and regular pilgrims appreciate the caution but hope for a quick weather change. “Girnar is a place of devotion. Many elderly people use the ropeway. Safety must come first, but timely updates and alternate arrangements could help,” said Pravin Joshi, a local resident.

Officials have assured that the ropeway service will resume as soon as weather conditions stabilize. Meanwhile, visitors are being advised to check updates with local authorities before planning their visit.