Funded with an investment of ₹800 crore, this initiative is touted as the first of its kind within an Indian city, according to Varanasi Divisional Commissioner S Rajalingam.
“We aim to operationalize it by May 2026. The construction is actively ongoing,” he stated.
Discussing the rope car service further, he mentioned that the decision was made following several visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the city, aimed at modernizing its infrastructure.
PM Modi has represented Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency for the third consecutive term.
“Of the total ₹60,000 crore allocated, ₹40,000 crore is specifically for the city’s infrastructure development. This plan for a rope car service was initiated due to a significant increase in visitors to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, from 5,000 daily to approximately two lakh now. The initiative is part of the city’s modernization efforts,” Rajalingam shared with PTI.
Currently, Varanasi has a population of around 42 lakh, he noted.
Rajalingam, originally from Kadayanallur, Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu, took office as the Divisional Commissioner of Varanasi in April 2025.
Given the narrow roads and densely populated areas, implementing a Metro rail project was deemed impractical. Consequently, the decision was made to introduce the rope car service, he explained.
“It will be the first rope car service covering a 4-km stretch within the city, with an anticipated travel time of about 15-20 minutes from the railway station to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple,” he stated.
“We plan to set the ticket price at around ₹50 or ₹100 per person. Each Gondola (aerial cable car) will accommodate approximately 10 passengers, and we aim to deploy around 148 Gondolas for this service,” he added.
“Once operational, we expect that around 1 lakh people will be able to use the service daily,” he mentioned.
In response to a question, he shared that the district administration anticipates nearly 7 crore visitors this year, up from 6.5 crore in 2024.
Rajalingam also indicated plans to enhance transportation via waterways, mentioning that dredging works are underway. “We have installed eight community jetties along the waterways,” he stated.
To bolster the inland waterways, the administration is increasing boat operations on the Ganga river. “Previously, about 600 boats were in service, and currently, we operate approximately 2,000 to accommodate public needs,” he noted.
The government is also focused on improving public transport, with electric buses now operating on key routes, he added.
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