The first urban public transport ropeway in India, located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is nearing completion, with three of its five stations almost ready for trial runs. The cable has been successfully installed on the ropeway’s supporting pillars, and the Cantt, Vidyapeeth, and Rathyatra stations are nearly finished. Trials are set to begin within a month and are expected to last about six weeks to address any final issues.
This major infrastructure project, which was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, began with the laying of the foundation stone in March 2023.
Estimated to cost Rs 650 crore, the ropeway aims to alleviate traffic congestion and provide an eco-friendly transport alternative in Varanasi, a city known for its busy streets and tourism.
Kaushalraj Sharma, Divisional Commissioner of Varanasi, stated, ""The construction is almost finished, but some time is still required. We expect trials to start within a month, with the full project likely to be completed in six months.""
Phase two of the project, covering additional stations, is set to be completed by May. Significant progress has been made on the Girijaghar station, while construction at the Godaulia station is set to begin soon. Due to limited space at Godaulia, the final station will be built on the ground and will include a three-storey building with shopping areas on the upper floors.
The system is expected to serve up to 6,000 commuters daily, with a redesigned layout featuring two staircases for better passenger flow.
