GRAVITY GOODS ROPEWAY
2 SITE SURVEY
Survey is the basis for needs assessment,
proper site identification, and design and
planning of gravity ropeway which forms the
main source of guidelines for its construction.
Social, economic and environmental factors,
and technical parameters are assessed during
the survey to ensure that the gravity ropeway
is technically sound, economically viable and
socially acceptable, and has little or no impact
on the surrounding ecology and environment.
As the main objective of the gravity ropeway
is to improve the reach of rural agricultural
commodities to the markets, information regarding
the production potential from the villages, their
potential markets and market linkages are equally
important. Therefore, these components are also
given due importance during the gravity ropeway
survey. A sample of gravity ropeway survey form/
check list is given in Annex 1. The survey form
is designed to collect following information:
Technical datas
Spatial information including maps with
elevations
Socioeconomic data
Institutional capacity
Existing transportation facilities
Market and market linkages
Environmental information
Social acceptability and economic viability are
the pre conditions for gravity ropeway installation.
Therefore, socioeconomic survey should precede
technical survey and the latter should be carried
out only after ascertaining economic viability
of the site. The social and economic aspects
of the gravity ropeway are dealt in separate
guidelines. This guideline focuses only on
the technical aspects of the gravity ropeway.
2.1 Technical Survey
2.1.1 Site selection
A rigorous site assessment is necessary to identify
the suitable alignment for gravity ropeway. The
alignment should be routed so effectively that
it does not compromise with any technical
parameters and has minimal impact on existing
ecology and environment. When designing the
route of the gravity ropeway, due regard shall be
given to the effect on/from existing neighbouring
build up areas such as roads, electric power
lines, buildings, bridges, slope stability, and
natural habitats. Adequate consultations with
concerned organisations and most importantly
with local communities should be done during
site selection.
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