Shimla, Sept. 3 -- The Himachal Pradesh government to develop ropeways under public-private partnership (PPP) and externally aided project (EAP) modes as high costs involved are creating difficulties in advancing several projects, said chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday on the ninth day of the ongoing monsoon session. The reply came in response to the question raised by Congress MLA from Arki, Sajay Awasthy, regarding the status and cost of ropeway projects in the state, private investment, and the connectivity of tourist destinations via ropeways. In response, the CM said, "The government intends to connect all tourist destinations with ropeways, but the associated costs are quite high."He said, "Establishing ropeways is a priority for our government. Private entities interested in setting them up are encouraged to come forward." Sukhu mentioned that efforts had been made to plan a ropeway for Shimla as well. However, the tender assessment estimated the cost at approximately Rs.2,700 crore but due to this high cost, the project could not proceed and was cancelled. He said that the proposal to adopt PPP and EAP modes was discussed in the previous cabinet meeting. "The government is considering a framework to limit the tenure of PPP-based ropeway projects to between 30 and 35 years," Sukhu said emphasising the government's aim to connect areas with limited accessibility through ropeways, with a specific focus on linking hitherto untapped regions that hold tourism potential. The assembly passed the Himachal Pradesh State Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2026, with voice vote despite opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sukhu said that the bill aims to bring transparency in the appointments of universities of Himachal Pradesh. "The government has changed the recruitment system in universities to ensure appointments are made transparently on merit, ending the scope for political interference and recommendations," said Sukhu. LoP Jai Ram Thakur accused the state government of attempting to bring state universities under its "effective control" through the amendment bill, alleging that the move would undermine university autonomy....