Varanasi is preparing to script history in urban mobility by becoming the first Indian city to introduce a public transport ropeway. Designed to cut congestion and provide faster, eco-friendly travel, the project is expected to be operational by the end of this year at a projected cost of Rs 807 crore.The upcoming ropeway will connect Banaras Cantt Railway Station to Godowlia Chowk, covering a 3.75-kilometre stretch in one of the city’s busiest zones. At present, commuters take 45 to 50 minutes by road to complete this journey. With the ropeway, travel time is expected to shrink to nearly 15 minutes, offering significant relief for daily travellers and tourists.
According to officials overseeing the project, trial runs began earlier this year with gondolas tested across different phases to ensure efficiency and safety. Over three months of continuous testing helped fine-tune the system, paving the way for smooth operations once passenger services are rolled out.The ropeway will be equipped with 150 trolley cars operating at heights between 45 and 50 metres. Each gondola will carry up to ten passengers, with arrivals scheduled every two minutes to guarantee a continuous flow of transport.
The system has been designed to run for 16 hours a day, aligning with the mobility needs of a city that attracts both heavy tourist footfall and local commuters.Three ropeway stations Cantt, Vidyapeeth, and Rathyatra have already been constructed. These will feature modern amenities such as lifts, automatic stairs, wheelchair ramps, restrooms, and parking. Planners say the facilities will be inclusive, gender-neutral, and equipped with dedicated areas for food, beverages, and retail, making them urban spaces beyond transit hubs.
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Experts stress that the project is not just about speed but also about sustainability. Unlike road-based transport, ropeways offer low-carbon mobility by reducing dependence on fossil fuel vehicles. Given Varanasi’s reputation as a cultural and spiritual centre, the ropeway is expected to balance heritage preservation with the push for green infrastructure.Officials have also assured that fares will remain affordable for the public, with final pricing to be announced closer to the launch date. For the city’s growing population and millions of annual visitors, this system is set to ease traffic snarls, cut emissions, and redefine urban connectivity.The Varanasi urban ropeway reflects India’s larger urban strategy of building sustainable, equitable and eco-conscious transport systems. Once operational, it will stand as a model for other Indian cities seeking modern, clean mobility solutions in line with global climate goals.
