PM Modi lays foundation stone of first public ropeway in Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday laid the foundation stone of the first public ropeway from Varanasi Cantonment station to Godowlia.

The cost of the project is estimated at 645 million crowns. The 3.75 km cable system will have five stations and will facilitate the movement of tourists, pilgrims and residents.

Talking about the cable car project, PM Modi said it will "significantly reduce travel time". “7 million tourists visited Kashi in 1 year. The public transport ropeway will significantly reduce the travel time between Banaras Cantt Banaras Railway Station and Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, thereby increasing the appeal of Kashi and the convenience of people,” PM Modi said.

“The public ropeway project will benefit the city and will be available with several facilities like parking, food etc. This will prove to be an employment generator in the city. A floating jetty will soon be constructed for devotees and tourists visiting the city,” he added. The PM laid foundation stones and inaugurated 28 development projects worth over Rs 1,780 crore in his Varanasi parliamentary constituency.

During the program on the grounds of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Modi laid the foundation stones in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel. Modi also laid the foundation stone of a 55 MLD (million litres per day) sewage treatment plant at Bhagwanpur under the Namami Gange Programme. The project will be built at an estimated cost of 300 million crowns.

Under the Khelo India scheme, Modi laid the foundation stone for the 2nd and 3rd phases of the redevelopment of the Sigra Stadium. He also inaugurated 19 drinking water schemes that will benefit more than three million people in 63 panchayats under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

To further strengthen the rural drinking water system, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of 59 drinking water programs under the mission.