Varanasi: Taking a significant step towards providing modern, safe, and convenient public transport in Varanasi city, UP govt issued notification of fare rates for Varanasi Ropeway Project. According to the notification, affordable fares have been fixed for passengers travelling between various stations of the ropeway service. A minimum fare of Rs 10 and a maximum fare of Rs 50 has been fixed for travel between the Varanasi Cantt, Vidyapeeth, Rathyatra, and Godowlia Chowk stations. Fare for the entire journey from Varanasi Cantt to Godowlia Chowk will be Rs 50, while only Rs 10 will be payable for the commute from Vidyapeeth to Rathyatra. Keeping in mind convenience of local citizens and regular passengers, holders of ‘Kashi Smart Pass’ have been provided a special discount of 20% on the notified fare, under which, fare to commute from Varanasi Cantt to Godowlia Chowk will be Rs 40 and Rs 8 from Vidyapeeth to Rathyatra. Govt order also provides for hike of 5% every year from Apr 1, which will be rounded off to the nearest multiple of Rs 5. For convenience of passengers, a cloak room facility will be available at the Varanasi Cantt Rope-Way Station. The luggage storage facility will be free for ticket holders for initial two hours, while thereafter a charge of Rs 50 per hour has been fixed for luggage up to 15 kgs. A premium gondola service has also been provided for special tourist and group journeys. Fare for the premium gondola has been fixed at Rs 2,000 per journey. Meanwhile, on advance reservation by an institution, group, or organiser, Rs 1,200 per gondola journey will be payable. Varanasi Development Authority officials said operation of the Varanasi Ropeway Project will reduce traffic pressure on the city’s main routes and will provide passengers with a fast, safe and environment-friendly transport facility from Cantt Railway Station to the Godowlia area. The project will give a new direction to Kashi’s urban transport system and will also strengthen tourism and local movement. The system in Varanasi is going to be the country’s first urban public transport ropeway to operate on a route of approximately 3.75 km from Cantt Railway Station to Godowlia providing fast, safe and environment-friendly transport facility on the city’s busiest and most crowded corridor. With operation of the ropeway, the journey from Cantt to Godowlia, which normally takes 30 to 45 minutes by road, can be completed in just 15 to 16 minutes and will reduce traffic burden on the city’s main routes, while making a significant contribution to pollution control. Under the project, modern stations have been developed at Varanasi Cantt, Vidyapeeth, Rathyatra and Godowlia. Keeping in mind the convenience of differently-abled persons, senior citizens and women, modern facilities such as lifts, escalators, CCTV surveillance, fire safety arrangements and digital ticketing are being made available at the stations. Connecting Vishwanath Dham, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Godowlia, the Railway Station and the city’s major tourist and commercial areas, the project will provide thousands of passengers and tourists an option for smooth movement daily. Operation of the ropeway will also give new boost to local trade, tourism and the urban economy.
