Annapurna Cable Car on Wednesday laid foundation stone for the construction of a cable car service in Pokhara.

According to the developer, the estimated construction cost of the 2.2km cable car service, which will connect Lakeside with Sarangkot hill, is Rs1 billion.

The project will have 17 cars each with the capacity to accommodate eight passengers. “We will adopt technology of Nippon Cable, a Japanese company,” said Guna Raj Dhakal, the project’s consultant. The developer aims to complete the construction within 18 months. “Majority of tourists arriving in the lake city visit Sarangkot hill. Therefore, we are developing this project to make it easier for the tourists to reach the destination,” said Kalu Gurung, chairman of Annapurna Cable Car. “This project will promote Pokhara’s tourism.”

Local residents will have a 10 percent stake in the project, whereas the Nepali developer and its Japanese partner will have 75 and 15 percent stake, respectively. The developer has leased forest land for 40 years from the government for the construction of towers. It has also acquired private land the locals for the construction of two stations.

While having a ride on the cable car, one can enjoy scenic view of Fewa Lake and Santi Stupa, and panoramic view of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains.