Varanasi ropeway nears launch, Cantt-Godowlia journey to take just 16 minutes

Varanasi’s Rs 807-crore urban transport ropeway project has entered its final testing phase, with trial runs under way on the Rathyatra-Godowlia stretch ahead of its expected launch around Dev Deepawali on November 24.

The 3.85-km ropeway will connect Varanasi Cantt railway station with Godowlia, providing an alternative to road travel in some of the city’s most congested areas.

The system is expected to reduce the journey between Cantt and Godowlia from more than 45 minutes by road to approximately 16 minutes.

The project is around 95 per cent complete, with the remaining work focused on the final stretch and operational preparations, reported The Times of India.

The route will have four stations: Varanasi Cantt, Kashi Vidyapeeth, Rathyatra and Godowlia.

Passengers travelling to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple will be able to disembark at Godowlia, located approximately 700 metres from the shrine.

Divisional commissioner S Rajalingam told The Times of India that the administration expected to decide on the formal inauguration date within a fortnight.

He said the service would begin along the full route between Cantt and Godowlia rather than opening only a partially completed stretch.

Once operational, the system will use 150 gondola cabins, each designed to accommodate 10 passengers. The cabins are expected to arrive at stations at intervals of two to three minutes.

The ropeway will have a maximum passenger-handling capacity of approximately 96,000 people daily and is designed to operate for 16 hours a day.

The Uttar Pradesh government has finalised fares ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 50, depending on the distance travelled. A full journey between Cantt and Godowlia will cost Rs 50.

Holders of the Kashi Smart Pass will receive a 20 per cent discount, reducing the full-route fare to Rs 40.

The project will also provide a luggage storage facility at the Cantt station. Passengers will be allowed to store luggage free of charge for the first two hours, after which a fee of Rs 50 per hour will apply for bags weighing up to 15 kg.

The ropeway is intended to reduce pressure on roads frequently used by pilgrims, tourists and local commuters, particularly around the railway station and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

The administration is targeting an opening around Dev Deepawali, although the formal inauguration date has not yet been confirmed.