Kashi Ropeway: The Kashi Ropeway, the first public transport ropeway of India, is finally undergoing full speed tests. It is expected to be commissioned by May 2026.
The nearly 4-kilometer link between Cantt Railway Station (Varanasi Junction) and Godauliya, which is located near the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple, has been designed to ease movement for millions of tourists and pilgrims arriving in the holy city.
S Rajalingam, divisional commissioner of Varanasi, remarked that full load tests would commence shortly and the Kashi ropeway project had almost reached the finishing stage.
Kashi Ropeway Cost
The Kashi ropeway has been built with an estimated cost of Rs. 807 crore and will allow each cable car to carry a maximum of 10 passengers. It will reduce the travel time between the station and Godauliya to just 15 minutes.
Rajalingam said the system adheres to the stringent European CEN standards and is equipped with features like vertical evacuation. The Kashi ropeway project was considered after the soil conditions in the city were found unsuitable for the construction of metro railways.
What’s Unique About the Kashi Ropeway Project?
Once completed, the Kashi ropeway project will make Varanasi the world’s third city after Bolivia and Mexico and the first one in the country to use ropeways as an urban public transport system. About 15 trolley cars are expected to run from an estimated height of 45 to 50 metres.
