Kashi ropeway

{{Infobox aerial lift line

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| name = Kashi ropeway

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| pushpin_map = India Uttar Pradesh

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| status =Under Construction

| character = Urban transit

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| location = Varanasi

| country = India

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| start = Varanasi Cantonment

| end = Godowlia Chowk

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| no_stations = 5

| services = Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

| built_by = Vishwa Samudra Engineering Pvt Ltd

| constr_cost = {{INRConvert|645|c}}

| begin = March 2022

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| no_carriers = 153

| carrier_cap = 10 passengers

| ridership = 96000/day (expected)

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| trip_duration = 16 minutes

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| operating_time = 16 hrs/day

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| manufactured_by = Bartholet Maschinenbau AG

| line_length = {{convert|3.75|km|mi}}

| no_towers = 30

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| map = {{Infobox mapframe |wikidata=yes |marker=aerialway}}

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| map_name = Kashi ropeway

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Kashi ropeway is an under construction aerial cable car urban transit system in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It will be the first public transport ropeway of India. It will be 3.75 km long with five stations connecting Varanasi Cantonment railway station to Godowlia Chowk. It is expected to open in August 2025.{{cite web |title=Kashi ropeway project on track; likely to start in Aug |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/kashi-ropeway-project-on-track-likely-to-start-in-aug/articleshow/118768015.cms |website=The Times of India |date=6 March 2025}}

History

When the development plan of metro was rejected in June 2018, the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) asked Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) to prepare mass rapid transit system (MRTS) plan for the city in December 2019.{{Cite news |date=2022-10-10 |title=Varanasi: Execution of Kashi ropeway project likely after October 14 |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/execution-of-kashi-ropeway-project-likely-after-october-14/articleshow/94750541.cms |access-date=2023-03-29 |issn=0971-8257}} RITES included ropeway and light metro in MRTS plan.{{Cite web |last=Shah |first=Narendra |date=2019-12-30 |title=RITES to Submit light metro and ropeway project DPR for Varanasi |url=https://www.metrorailnews.in/rites-to-submit-light-metro-and-ropeway-project-dpr-for-varanasi/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Metro Rail News |language=en-US}} It is being constructed under Parvatmala Pariyojana.

The project was presented by WAPCOS Limited in November 2021 and the first tender was floated in December 2021 but was repeatedly delayed later.{{Cite news |date=2022-08-01 |title=Two bidders in race for Kashi ropeway project |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/two-bidders-in-race-for-kashi-ropeway-project/articleshow/93260260.cms |access-date=2023-03-29 |issn=0971-8257}} The two Austrian engineering firms Salzmann and Bernard Group planned the project.{{Cite web |title=Eleven urban ropeways for India |url=https://www.simagazin.com/en/si-urban-en/topics-urban/urban/eleven-urban-ropeways-for-india/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Seilbahnen International |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Salzmann Ingenieure And Bernard Gruppe Planning Eleven Ropeways In India |url=https://www.snowindustrynews.com/articles/2022/november/salzmann-ingenieure-and-bernard-gruppe-planning-eleven-ropeways-in-india/ |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=www.snowindustrynews.com |language=en-US}} In December 2021, VDA authorised National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), a subsidiary of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to execute the project which also conducted feasibility study. VDA and NHLML signed memorandum of understating with Government of Uttar Pradesh and Indian Railways. The Government of Uttar Pradesh acquired the land for stations and towers. Sai Geotechnical Engineer Pvt Ltd conducted the geotechnical investigation.

In April–June 2022, the tender was floated by the NHLML. In December 2022, the NHLML awarded the contract worth {{INRconvert|807|c}} to Vishwa Samudra Engineering Private Limited and Bartholet Maschinenbau AG of Switzerland. The bid price was {{INRconvert|815.6|c}}. It will be constructed using hybrid annuity model, in which 60% and 40% of the cost will be paid during the construction period and operation-maintenance period respectively. The company will maintain the ropeway for 15 years.{{Cite web |author=Staff Reporter |date=2022-12-28 |title=VS Engg bags contract to build India's first urban ropeway project in Varanasi |url=https://www.metrorailnews.in/vs-engg-bags-contract-to-built-indias-first-urban-ropeway-project-in-varanasi/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Metro Rail News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Varanasi ropeway project gets Rs 322 cr funding from Swiss firm - The Economic Times |url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/varanasi-ropeway-project-gets-rs-322-cr-funding-from-swiss-firm/amp_articleshow/114598142.cms |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=m.economictimes.com}}

On 24 March 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of the ropeway. The construction will cost {{INRconvert|645|c}}. It will facilitate movement of local people, tourists and pilgrims to Godowlia, Kashi Corridor, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Dashashwamedh Ghat.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-23 |title=PM to lay foundation for India's 1st public transport ropeway in Kashi tomorrow |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/pm-to-lay-foundation-for-india-s-1st-public-transport-ropeway-in-kashi-tomorrow-101679577986512.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-03-24 |title=Varanasi news today: PM Modi lays foundation of India's first public transport ropeway worth Rs 645 crores in Kashi - Check Varanasi ropeway project map, tender and other details |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/economy/varanasi-news-today-pm-modi-lays-foundation-of-indias-first-public-transport-ropeway-worth-rs-645-crores-in-kashi-check-varanasi-ropeway-project-map-tender-and-other-details-article-98961726 |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=TimesNow |language=en}} The construction and operation are expected to start in May 2023 and in May 2025 respectively.

It will be the first public transport ropeway of India and third in the world after Mi Teleférico in Bolivia and Mexicable in Mexico City.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-24 |title=PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone for Kashi Ropeway: India 3rd in World to Get it {{!}} All You Need to Know |url=https://www.news18.com/india/pm-modi-lays-foundation-stone-for-kashi-ropeway-india-3rd-in-world-to-get-it-all-you-need-to-know-7376377.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=News18 |language=en}}

Technical features

The line will be {{convert|3.75|km|mi|abbr=on}} long. It will operate from Varanasi Cantonment railway station to Godowlia Chowk. It will have three other stations: Kashi Vidyapith (Bharat Mata Mandir), Rath Yatra and Girja Ghar.{{Cite web |title=Ropeway Project: रोपवे बनने से खत्म हो जाएंगे काशी विद्यापीठ के चार विभाग, भारत माता मंदिर के अस्तित्व पर भी संकट |url=https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/varanasi/ropeway-project-in-varanasi-four-departments-of-kashi-vidyapith-will-end-due-to-construction-of-ropeway-bharat-mata-temple-too |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=Amar Ujala |language=hi}} There will be no passenger exchange at Girja Ghar. Total 30 towers with height ranging from 10 to 55 metre will be constructed.

It is expected to transport 96,000 passengers per day. It will have a maximum capacity of 3000 passengers per hour per direction. It will have 153 cars with capacity of 10 passengers each. It will operate 16 hours a day and will complete the trip in 16 minutes.

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! width="100" |Line

! width="360" |Terminus stations

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! width="150" |Expected date of opening

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