Varanasi Ropeway: India's first urban ropeway to be ready by August 2024

02 Jul 2024 CW Team

India's first-ever urban ropeway in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi is set to be ready by August 2024. In addition to cutting down on travel time, this project will provide an aerial view of the city. The ropeway was inaugurated in March 2022.

This project is being undertaken under the 'Parvatmala Pariyojana' National Ropeways Development Programme.

The contract for the ropeway project was given to an Indian company, Vishwa Samudra Engineering and its Swiss technology partner Bartholet Maschinenbau. Phase 1 of this ropeway is projected to cost Rs.6.45 billion and be completed by 2025. The 3.7-km ropeway is expected to transport 96,000 passengers per day with a maximum capacity of 3,000 passengers per hour per direction. It will have 153 cars with a capacity of 10 passengers each, will operate 16 hours a day and will complete the trip in about 16 minutes. At each of the four stations, gondolas will come every two to three minutes, guaranteeing a seamless and effective commuting experience.

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