Varanasi's ₹807 Crore Skyway Project: The Future of Urban Transit

Varanasi is poised to become the first city in India to launch an urban public transport ropeway, a ₹807 crore initiative designed to ease traffic congestion and modernize intra-city mobility.

The ropeway will span 3.75 km, connecting Banaras Cantt Railway Station to Godowlia Chowk, reducing travel time from 45–50 minutes by road to just 15 minutes. While fare structures are yet to be finalized, officials have assured that pricing will remain affordable and commuter-friendly.

Trial runs, which began in March, initially tested a single gondola on the Cantt–Rathyatra segment. These were later expanded to include additional cars, allowing for operational fine-tuning. Project Director Pooja Mishra of National Highway Logistics Management Ltd. (NHLML) noted that three months of testing have optimized the system's performance.

The ropeway will feature three main stations—Cantt, Vidyapeeth, and Rathyatra—each equipped with modern facilities such as:

Automatic staircases and lifts, Wheelchair-accessible ramps, Restrooms, Parking areas, Integrated retail and shopping zones

The system will operate at a height of 45–50 metres, with approximately 150 gondolas, each capable of carrying up to 10 passengers. Cars will arrive every 1.5 to 2 minutes, offering continuous, 16-hour daily service. Designed to serve both residents and tourists, the ropeway promises a modern, efficient, and accessible mode of transport in one of India’s oldest and busiest cities.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.