The Karnataka government has received a Rs 40‑crore proposal to install a cable‑car system at Gokak Falls in Belagavi, aiming to boost tourism at the 52‑metre ‘Niagara of Karnataka’. The plan, cleared by the state finance department, now awaits final statutory approvals before construction can start.
The proposal has already been approved by the Karnataka finance department, and tourism officials are eager to proceed after completing preliminary feasibility studies.
An extensive technical, geographical and environmental assessment was carried out, with Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) delivering a detailed feasibility report that examined the terrain, route viability, passenger‑safety measures, potential environmental impacts and other engineering parameters.
State Tourism Minister KJ George has instructed officials to obtain the remaining statutory clearances, including mandatory approvals from the forest and environment departments, before the final tendering process is launched.
Gokak Falls, often dubbed the ‘Niagara of Karnataka’, drops 52 metres on the Ghataprabha River, forming a 581‑foot‑wide cascade that plunges into a gorge 171 feet deep.
The project was initially presented to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in 2024, but after a tepid response from the centre, the state opted to implement it independently under a public‑private partnership model.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan said the cable‑car scheme is expected to create jobs for local youth, strengthen tourism infrastructure and give visitors a modern, safe way to view the falls, while also improving connectivity for pilgrims traveling to nearby religious sites.
The historic British‑era suspension bridge at the falls remains closed to tourists over safety concerns; the aerial cable‑car is slated to provide a secure alternative perspective of the waterfall.
District Minister Satish Jarkiholi told TOI that the government has fast‑tracked the approval process to avoid delays, adding, “I hope the project work will take off soon once all the formalities are completed.”
