Chatra, September 06, 2026: A major tourism project that was nearing a crucial stage at Kauleshwari Hill in Chatra has been overshadowed by the sudden death of Tourism Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu.
The proposed ropeway was among the projects Sonu was particularly keen to see implemented. His objective was to make the hilltop more accessible to pilgrims and tourists, especially elderly people, children and those who find the steep climb difficult.
Sonu had directed officials to complete the administrative and technical formalities without delay and was expected to visit Chatra for the project’s foundation stone ceremony. That plan, however, did not materialise before his death.
A religious destination with wider tourism potential
Located in Hunterganj block, Kauleshwari Hill holds significance for followers of Sanatan, Jain and Buddhist traditions. The site attracts devotees and visitors throughout the year and has also drawn tourists from outside the country.
The proposed ropeway was therefore seen as more than an infrastructure project. It was intended to address access to the hill while strengthening Kauleshwari’s potential as a larger tourism destination.
For local communities, the project also carries an economic expectation, with increased tourist footfall potentially benefiting shops, hospitality services and other businesses.
Technical survey already underway
Despite Sonu’s death, work related to the proposed project has continued.
A technical team from RITES Limited has reached Chatra and has been carrying out fieldwork at Kauleshwari Hill for the past four days.
The team, led by engineer Ranjan Madhav, is examining possible locations for key components of the project. These include the main ropeway platform as well as sites being considered for a tourist guest house and restaurant.
Technical teams are also collecting samples to assess the foundation and soil conditions of the hill.
According to Madhav, Sonu had been closely following the project and had instructed officials that there should be no unnecessary delay in taking it forward.
Project now rests with the government and tourism department
Sonu’s death has changed the immediate political context surrounding the project. The foundation stone ceremony he had planned will no longer take place under his tenure, while the technical groundwork initiated on his directions remains in progress.
If implemented, the ropeway could significantly reduce the physical difficulty of reaching the hilltop and potentially make Kauleshwari more accessible to elderly and physically vulnerable pilgrims.
It could also give a boost to tourism-related economic activity in the area.
For the state government and the Tourism Department, the challenge now is to maintain the momentum already created and take the project from survey and planning to execution.
For Kauleshwari, the proposed ropeway had represented the possibility of a new phase in its tourism story. For local residents, Sonu’s sudden death has left that expectation mixed with uncertainty over what comes next.
