Varanasi Ropeway Project: Swaying Cabins in Trials Spark Online Debate Over Safety and Costs

Varanasi Ropeway Project: Swaying Cabins in Trials Spark Online Debate Over Safety and Costs

India’s first public urban ropeway system, known as the Kashi Ropeway in Varanasi, has become a topic of intense online discussion following viral videos from late 2025 trial runs showing cabins swaying significantly in the wind. The project, costing approximately ₹807–815 crore, aims to connect Varanasi Cantonment Railway Station to Godowlia Chowk (near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple) over a 3.75–3.85 km route with five stations: Cantt, Kashi Vidyapith, Rath Yatra, Girja Ghar, and Godowlia.

The ropeway is designed to reduce travel time from around 45 minutes in heavy traffic to about 16–20 minutes, with a capacity to handle up to 100,000 passengers daily using 148–153 gondola cabins (each holding 8–10 people). Trial runs began in October 2025, and full public operations are expected by May 2026.

Viral Videos and Public Reaction

In early January 2026, videos emerged showing empty cabins swinging like a pendulum during testing, particularly in windy conditions. Social media users reacted with a mix of alarm and humor:

• Some called it a “death trap” or “suicide pendulum,” expressing fears for passenger comfort and safety, especially for elderly pilgrims or those prone to motion sickness.
• Jokes included references to a “Khatron Ke Khiladi” (fear factor) experience or dying “every minute out of fear.”
• Others raised doubts about the project’s high cost, questioning if it was a “waste of money” amid allegations of over-expenditure or corruption.

Netizens were divided: critics highlighted the swaying as a potential hazard in a flat urban area like Varanasi, while supporters noted it’s common in ropeway systems worldwide.

Engineering Explanation: Intentional Design for Safety

Experts and informed users explained that the swaying is a deliberate feature in modern monocable detachable gondola (MDG) systems, like those used in Switzerland and the European Alps:

• Cabins are designed to hang freely and absorb wind forces, reducing stress on cables, towers, and the overall structure.
• Rigid cabins could transfer more force to the system, increasing risks in strong winds.
• The ropeway includes advanced safety measures: wind sensors that automatically halt operations if speeds exceed safe limits, multiple redundant brakes, AI-based monitoring, emergency power backups, and compliance with international European standards.
• Technology providers (including Swiss involvement) ensure resilience, though ropeways generally pause in extreme weather.

No official statement directly addressed the January 2026 videos, but authorities have consistently affirmed the system’s safety during trials.

Project Background and Benefits

• Foundation laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2022.
• Developed by National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• Eco-friendly alternative to road expansion in Varanasi’s narrow, congested streets, easing access for pilgrims and tourists to the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and ghats.
• Expected to operate 16 hours daily with low waiting times.

While the swaying videos fueled mockery and skepticism, they highlight a normal testing phase for a pioneering urban transport solution in India. As operations near, the ropeway promises to transform mobility in one of the world’s oldest living cities.

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