- By Chetna Shree
- Tue, 09 Dec 2025 02:21 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Varanasi Ropeway Project: The construction of a ropeway service connecting the railway station to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is progressing and is expected to be operational by May 2026, a top government official said.
Speaking to news agency PTI, Varanasi Divisional Commissioner S Rajalingam said that the service is being built at an outlay of Rs 800 crore. “We are planning to bring it into operation by May 2026. Currently, the work is going on," Rajalingam said.
He further said that the service is considered to be the first in India to as an urban public transport service within the city. The ropeway is being designed to carry pilgrims to Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, offering an alternative mode of transport.
Varanasi Ropeway Project: Key Details
- The upcoming ropeway service will be the first ropeway service to run on a 4-km stretch within the city. It will connect the railway station to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.
- Once operational, the travel time between the railway station and Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi will be around 15-20 minutes.
- According to the PTI report, each cable car or Gondola will carry approximately 10 people and a total of about 148 Gondolas are planned for the service.
- The expected ticket price per person is being planned at either Rs 50 or Rs 100.
- The ropeway service is expected to facilitate travel for up to 1 lakh people per day.
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Varanasi Aims To Improve Waterways And Public Transport
Rajalingam confirmed that in addition to the new ropeway, the administration is actively engaged in enhancing other transport options, particularly waterways and public road transport. To enhance transportation using waterways, dredging works have been undertaken, and eight community jetties have been deployed along the waterways.
The use of boats on the Ganga River has been significantly scaled up, increasing from 600 to approximately 2,000 operational boats to serve the public. The government is also prioritising public transport, with electric buses now being operated on vital city routes.
