On Wednesday (June 24), Varanasi Development Authority Vice-Chairman Purn Bora announced that fares for shorter journeys between stations would be lower. For example, passengers traveling to Vidyapeeth station will only need to pay ₹10.
A smart pass option has also been introduced to benefit regular commuters. Under this scheme, the fare for traveling between Cantonment and Godowlia will be ₹40, while the fare from Vidyapeeth to Rath Yatra stations will be ₹8, he noted.
Bora also mentioned that ropeway fares will increase by 5% each year starting April 1.
Officials state that the ropeway will cut travel time between Cantonment and Godowlia to approximately 15-16 minutes, in contrast to 30-45 minutes by road, depending on traffic conditions.
Bora added that a cloakroom service will be available at the Cantonment railway station for outstation travelers. Ticket holders can store their luggage free for the first two hours, after which a fee of ₹50 per hour will apply for bags weighing up to 15 kg.
For group travel, the fare for a premium gondola service has been set at ₹2,000 per trip. Institutions or groups that make advance reservations will be charged ₹1,200 per gondola per trip, he concluded.
