Content area
Full Text
Nepal offers extreme geographical conditions. It has therefore been necessary to develop appropriate modes of transport. ITDG Nepal has been developing safe ropeways for river crossing and ropeway transport for mountainous regions. The two types of ropeway are described in this technical brief.
Rural access is a major problem in Nepal. It has ranges of high mountains occupying 53 percent of the country and flat land areas known as the terai. Settlements are scattered with few densely populated areas, which combined with the harsh terrain and unfavourable weather conditions, makes linking homes to established roads very difficult. During seasonal harvests excess production, particularly of perishable soft fruits, vegetables and milk, is wasted due to lack of access to lowland urban markets where the demand exists.
In most mountain areas goods are transported by mules and goats or carried by people. Roads are very difficult to build in such mountainous regions and tend not to last without a great deal of maintenance.
Ropeways for river crossings, tuins
River crossing ropeways are known as tuins in Nepal. They are an indigenous technology and one of the most common structures for crossing rivers in hilly regions. There are more than 6000 rivers in Nepal and most of these rivers have no structured crossings. Many people have lost their lives during the monsoon season attempting to cross swollen rivers.
The traditional construction uses stone pillars built on both sides of the river. From an anchored end, a wire cable runs up to the first pillar, lies across the top and then stretches to the pillar on the other side of the river. The transport trolley hangs from the cable and is pulled along by its passengers with an additional rope running from the trolley to the riverbank.
New designs of tuin
ITDG Nepal conducted a study looking to improve the existing technology. Ideas for improving the design came form the local community during discussions with ITDG technical experts. The community expressed concerns about the safety of traditional tuins. Many people have lost fingers while operating tuins and there is a danger of falling out of a trolley while crossing a river. ITDG technical personnel brainstormed to come...