Imagine arriving in Varanasi, boarding a gondola and gliding above the city instead of navigating its crowded roads. That experience could soon become a reality.

The city’s ambitious ₹800-crore urban ropeway project has crossed 94% completion, with authorities targeting the start of operations in November 2026, subject to final completion and operational readiness.

The progress was reviewed on September 28 when Uttar Pradesh Secretary, Planning, and Director General, Economics and Statistics, Raj Shekhar inspected the project along with Varanasi District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar.

According to a report in Swarajya, Shekhar also travelled in a gondola from Cantt station towards Godowlia to assess the construction progress, passenger facilities and preparations for the launch.

3.85 Kilometres Above the City

The ropeway will stretch for 3.85 kilometres, connecting key locations including Varanasi Junction, Kashi Vidyapeeth, Rathyatra and Godowlia. For visitors heading towards the spiritual heart of the city, the final station will provide access to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

The project is expected to offer another option for travelling through one of India’s busiest and most visited urban areas while taking a part of the city's daily movement into the sky.

A Gondola Every Two Minutes

The system is designed around 10-seater gondolas, with a cabin expected to arrive at stations every 120 seconds. A total of 153 gondola carriers, manufactured by Swiss company Bartholet Maschinenbau, will form the operating fleet.

The ropeway is designed to carry around 3,000 passengers per hour in each direction and operate for approximately 16 hours a day. Authorities have projected daily ridership of around 96,000 passengers.

The planned fare structure is designed to keep the ropeway accessible. Passengers will pay ₹10 per station, while a journey covering all five stations will cost ₹50. If the project begins operations as planned, the ropeway will add a completely different dimension to Varanasi’s public transport network.

India’s First Public Transport Ropeway

The project is also being watched beyond Varanasi. Once operational, it is set to become India’s first public transport ropeway and the third urban transit ropeway system in the world, following systems in La Paz, Bolivia, and Mexico City.

The targeted launch date is November 24, 2026, provided the remaining work and operational preparations are completed. Soon, one of India’s oldest cities could have one of its newest ways of moving—not through the streets, but above them!