In 2023, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the Passenger Ropeway, stretching 3.75 km with five stations. (AI image for representative purpose)
The Varanasi Ropeway Project, India’s first urban ropeway venture, is making significant progress, with the segment connecting Varanasi Cantonment Railway Station to RathYatra slated for completion by August 2024. This project falls under the National Ropeways Development Programme, known as ‘Parvatmala Pariyojana.’
Officials told ET that this section will enhance connectivity between the Varanasi Cantonment Station and key destinations in the city’s southern and western areas.
The estimated cost for Phase I, expected to be finished by 2025, is Rs 645 crore.
In March 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Passenger Ropeway, stretching 3.75 km with five stations from Varanasi Cantt station to Godowlia.
The project aims to ease movement for tourists, pilgrims, and residents. Pulkit Garg, vice-chairman of the Varanasi Development Authority, showcased a gondola at Dashaswamedh plaza following the Prime Minister’s virtual experience of boarding one earlier this year.
“Trial runs of the gondolas on the cable will begin by July-end. Passenger service is expected to start in November or December between Varanasi Junction (Cantt railway station) and Rathyatra via Kashi Vidyapeeth. Work on extending the full route to Godowlia will continue after the first phase becomes operational,” Garg had told TOI earlier this year
Varanasi ropeway project details:
The ropeway offers not only stunning aerial city views but also a drastic reduction in travel time between Varanasi junction and Godowlia, taking a mere 16 minutes.
With a capacity of 6,000 passengers per hour, the service will feature around 150 gondolas, each accommodating 10 passengers, operating on the up and down cables.
Passengers can anticipate a gondola arriving every 2-3 minutes at any of the four stations.
