New Delhi: Heard of ropeway as a mode of public transportation?
There are only a handful of such services in the world, in Mexico City and La Paz (Bolivia).
India is set to join that league very soon. And it’s none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency to have that honour.
Varanasi, one of India’s oldest cities, is gearing up for a modern transport makeover as the country’s first urban public transport ropeway nears completion.
The ropeway will cover a 3.75-km stretch, linking Banaras Cantt railway station with Godowlia Chowk. The ropeway is expected to cut travel time from around 45-50 minutes by road to just 15 minutes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who laid the foundation stone for the ropeway in March 2023, should be launching the public service by the end of this year.
Built at a cost of around Rs 807 crore, the ropeway will reduce traffic congestion and, more importantly, offer an environmentally-friendly way of daily commute across the bustling city.
The first trial run of the ropeway was conducted in March, with a single gondola tested on the nearly 3-km stretch between Cantt and Rathyatra, according to Hindustan Times.
More gondolas were subsequently added to the trial phase to check the system’s efficiency.
Three stations — Cantt, Vidyapeeth and Rathyatra — have already been built. The stations will feature automatic stairs, lifts, wheelchair ramps, restrooms, parking, and areas for food, beverages, and shopping.
Around 150 trolley cars will operate at a height of 45-50 metres, with each gondola having the capacity to carry up to 10 passengers.
The project will benefit daily commuters and also make life easier for tourists visiting Varanasi, one of India’s busiest cultural and religious hubs.