A study of the service sector I used during the festivals.

[ In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ]

Submitted by Submitted to

Suraj Ghimire Manish Sir

BBA ‘VII’ (Marketing) Service marketing

King’s College

Kathmandu

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Introduction to Manakamana Cable Car Project (Kurintar, Chitwan)

Manakamana Cable Car is the only one cable car in the country. For a country like Nepal where construction of roads is very expensive, the Cable Car can be a great relief and time saver.

This cable car carries hundreds of devotees and religious tourists to the famous temple of Manakamana in Gorkha district each year. The 3 km Cable Car Project was constructed under strict supervision of Dopple Maier of Austria. The most challenging part of the construction was transportation of assembled tower by helicopter and erecting them directly on the foundation. This method was used for the first time in Nepal and was highly successful. Thirteen towers were erected within 6 hours.

Project Manakamana Cable Car Project (Kurintar, Chitwan)

Location Kurintar, Chitwan

Client Manakamana Darshan (Pvt) Ltd.

Consultant Doppler Maier

Purpose Passenger transportation from Cheres to Manakamana

Works Civil work, Erection of 20 numbers of towers, stringing, final tensioning

Total length 3 Km

Period of Construction

November 1997 – November 1998

Sector

Manakamana Cable car falls under the transportation sector. It has been providing service

to the pilgrims from Nepal, India and many other countries since its inspection. It has made

the otherwise strenuous and backbreaking journey to the Goddess as less demanding and

enjoyable. The main service provided by the Cable car is to carry the passengers and their

luggage to and from Manakamana.

History

Manakamana Cable Car has immensely contributed to the religious and touristy significance of the area. Manakamana cable car was inaugurated by the then Crown Prince

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Dipendera Bir Bikram Shah on November 24, 1998. The cable cars have been imported from Austria. The cable car ride from Kurintar to Manakamana is around 10 minute in time and 3.1 km in distance. When there was no cable car service, people used to walk 3–4 hours all the way to Manakamana. The Cable Car has made it very easy for all kinds of people to get to this religious destination. Besides drastically reducing the previously arduous five-hour climb to a mere 10 minute comfort trip, it has revolutionized the tourism of international standards.

The Legend Behind Manakamana

Legend has it that Gorkha King Ram Shah’s (1614-1636 A.D) Queen possessed divine powers- a fact known only to Lakhan Thapa, her devotee. One day, when the King discovered that his Queen was a Goddess, he suddenly died. As per the custom, the Queen had to commit sati on his cremation pyre. Consoling the lamenting Lakhan, she promised to reappear near his home.

Six months later, a farmer hit a stone while ploughing his field and noticed blood and milk flowing from it. The flow ceased when Lakhan worshipped the stone with tantric rituals. The site became the foundation of the present-day shrine-the current pujari Priest being the 17th generation descendant of Lakhan Thapa.

Renovated many times over the centuries, the Manakamana Temple has a four-tiered pagoda style roof with the entrance facing southwest. The priest performs daily prayers and rituals behind closed doors before allowing the public to enter. Manakamana Devi is widely believed bless her devotees by fulfilling their wishes.

Volume

There are currently 31 carriers to carry passengers to and from the temple. Also, there are 3 freight carriers which are allocated for carrying offerings, goats and commodities of locales as well. The maximum capacity of these cable cars is 600 passengers per hour.

Status

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The Top Station (1302m) at Manakamana is near the Manakamana Temple, which lies

south of the historic town of Gorkha and is located on the top of a ridge overlooking the

spectacular river valleys of Trishuli and Marshyangdi. Journey to Manakamana can be

exhilarating both spiritually and visually. Spectacular views from around the temple area

include deep valleys, terraced fields as well as the Manaslu-Himlchuli and the Annapurna

ranges.

Catagory One Way Two Way

Normal NPR.285.00 NPR 475.00

Child NPR.165.00 NPR 275.00

Student NPR.225.00 NPR 375.00

Elderly NPR.225.00 NPR 375.00

Disabled NPR 213.00 NPR 355.00

Foreigner USD 9.00 USD 15.00

Foreigner Child USD 6.00 USD 10.00

SAARC National NPR 285.00 NPR. 475.00

Goat o Per no. NPR 180.00

Goods o Per kg NPR 10.00 o 15 kg baggage per person allowed, extra charge for excess baggage.

Child Catagory o Height above 3 Feet up to 4 feet o Children up to 3 Feet Free

The grand main gate welcomes all to the Bottom Station (258M) which is located on the bank of the Trisuli river and is 2.5 hour drive away from Kathmandu (2 hours from Pokhara and 1 hour from Narayanghat).

The location of the Manakamana Cable Car Station is at the center from major cities in the country. It is at a distance of 105 km from the capital Kathmandu. Similarly, it is 95 km from another touristic site, Pokhara and 41 km from Chitwan. The bottom station is located on the banks of Trisuli River and is 2.5 hrs from Kathmandu, 2 hrs from Pokhara and 1 hour from Chitwan.

The Manakamana temple overlooks the Trisuli and Marshyangdi river valleys, and offers breathtaking views of the Manaslu, Himalchuli and Annapurna mountains to the north.The bottom station is at an altitude of 258 meters from sea level whereas the top station is at an altitude of 1302 meters.

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Elder Category o Age above 65 Years

STANDARD CABLE CAR OPERATION TIMINGS

9.00 AM to 12.00 PM AND 1:30 PM to 5.00 PM LUNCH BREAK: 12.00 NOON TO 1: 30 PM

TECHNICAL DETAILS

REQUIRED POWER (STARTING): 523 kW.

PASSENGERS PER CARRIER: 6 Nos.

REQUIED POWER (CONTINUE): 420 kW.

NO OF TOWERS: 20 Nos.

TYPE: 6 MGD 215

NO OF CARRIERS 31 Nos.

HORIZONTAL LENGTH 2772.20 MT.

VERTICAL RISE 1033.60 MT.

INCLINE LENGTH 3023.75 MT.

HOURLY CAPACITY 600 PERSONS

AVERAGE GRANDIENT 37.26%

SPEED ON LINE 0-6 MT/SEC

NO OF FREIGHT CARRIERS 3 Nos.

GENERATOR CAPACITY 800 kW.

HAUL ROPE DIAMETER 41 MM.

THE TALLEST TOWER TOWER 11

.

TRIP TIME: 8.40 MIN (AT SPEED OF 6 MT/SEC)

TOP STATION ALTITUDE: 1302 MT.

BOTTOM STATION ALTITUDE: 258 MT.

Service standards

Imported and installed by the world renowned Dopplemayr of Austria, the Manakamana

Cable Car system is 100% safe with supporting feature like automatic backup generator,

hydraulic emergency drive and a team of qualified and well-trained staff and technicians.

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Manakamana Cable Car has been able to garner overwhelming support from its customer within a short period of operation. This is attributable to proven records of safety, comfort, cleanliness and customer service, combined with the cultural importance of the Manakamana region and superb natural surroundings.

the most modern cable car system imported from Austria. Facilities of international standards with high priority given to safety and customer service, Manakamana Cable Car have had an overwhelming response from all the visitors.

Other Facilities: Internaional class restaurant serving local, Indian and continental cuisine Communication facilities Kiddies games Souvenir shop Parking space Resort

Future possibilities

It is possible to expand the Cable car service to uplift the life of local people as well as to promote religious and adventurous tourism in other remote part of our country. Other possibilities include opening different sites for tourist activities in and around Manakamana. Government has also proposed to open Cable car services in places like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Kalinchok, Sworgadwari, Muktinath etc. Having multitude of experience and expertise from related field, Chitwan Co-E Nepal, the parent company of Manakamana Cable car can opt to join hands for the successful implementation of these projects.

Conclusion

The quality of service at Manakamana Cable car is satisfactory till date. Occasionally

especially during festivals and fiestas when the number of people in the waiting line

increases, people complain of not having a proper crowd management system. Many

people don’t come in queue in spite of that they would be the first one to get inside the

cable car. Due to its monopoly in operation many people also complain that the fair price is

also over charged. In my opinion, Manakamana Darshan Pvt limited should make special

provisions during rush hours and festivals for the comfort of passengers and mitigate any

shortcomings arising during the operation so that its service remains indisputably the best

in the coming days.