Varanasi — In a landmark move to improve urban mobility, the Modi-Yogi government is constructing the country’s first urban transport ropeway in Varanasi, aimed at reducing traffic congestion and offering a comfortable, accessible travel option for all, including women, children, and persons with disabilities.
The ropeway will feature special facilities at all stations — baby feeding rooms for mothers, ramps and wheelchairs for differently-abled passengers, and advanced guidance systems for the visually impaired. Tactile tiles and Braille signage will be installed throughout the stations, enabling visually impaired passengers to navigate independently from entry to exit. The tactile paths will have distinct yellow coloring, with warning “bubble tiles” marking turns and changes in direction. Lift buttons will carry Braille markings for each floor, and gondolas will have foldable seats to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs.
A 16-Minute Aerial Journey Over the City
Stretching 3.85 km from Cantt Railway Station to Godowlia Chowk, the ropeway will pass through five stations — Cantt Railway Station, Kashi Vidyapith, Rath Yatra, Girjaghar, and Godowlia. Supported by 29 towers, the 148 trolley cars will operate at an altitude of 45–50 meters, offering an aerial view of the city. Each car will carry up to 10 passengers, enabling 3,000 people to travel in one direction per hour, or 6,000 in both directions. The entire route will take just 16 minutes to cover.
Boost to Tourism and Accessibility
The project is expected to provide a seamless travel option for millions of tourists visiting Varanasi’s ghats and temples. By combining modern engineering with thoughtful design, the ropeway aims to set new standards for inclusive urban transport in India.
With its blend of technical innovation and human-centric features, the Varanasi ropeway is poised to become not only a solution to the city’s traffic challenges but also a model for future urban transport systems across the nation.
