Varanasi to Get India's First Urban Rope Car Service by 2026

Varanasi is set to introduce India's first in-city rope car service by May 2026. The service will enhance transport to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, accommodating the increasing number of visitors. The project is part of a broader infrastructure modernization plan, including expanded waterways and electric buses.

Construction on India's first in-city rope car service commenced in Varanasi, aiming to improve transport to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, a popular pilgrimage site. Varanasi Divisional Commissioner, S Rajalingam, announced the service is expected to launch by May 2026.

The Rs 800 crore project will span 4 kilometers, connecting the railway station to the temple. The decision to implement a rope car service, rather than a metro, was informed by Varanasi's narrow streets and dense pockets, making a metro rail project unfeasible. The service anticipates transporting 1 lakh people daily.

Alongside the rope car project, Varanasi is enhancing its transportation infrastructure, with plans for expanded waterway transport and the introduction of electric buses on key routes. This multi-pronged approach seeks to modernize the city and cater to the growing influx of visitors estimated at 7 crore for this year.

(With inputs from agencies.)