KATHMANDU: The Manakamana cable car, which has been operational since 2055 BS, will undergo a comprehensive 50-day closure starting from Monday for essential maintenance. This closure aims to replace the existing 26-year-old technology with modern systems and upgrade the entire cable car infrastructure. Ujwal Sherchan, Deputy General Manager of the cable car, confirmed that the closure, effective from July 15 to September 5, will facilitate the installation of a digital system and the replacement of the main cable wire.

Technicians from the Austrian company Doppelmeyer are overseeing the upgrade process, which involves multiple stages to ensure comprehensive improvements to the Manakamana cable car system. Despite the closure of the cable car service during this period, Manakamana Darshan Pvt Ltd has assured that the restaurant service at the entrance (bottom station) located in Ichchakamana-4 Kurintar, Chitwan, will remain open for visitors.

The Manakamana cable car has long provided convenient access to pilgrims visiting the revered Manakamana Temple, situated in Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality of Gorkha district. The scheduled maintenance and technological upgrades aim to enhance safety, efficiency, and overall visitor experience once operations resume after the completion of the maintenance period.