VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation of Rs 644-crore ropeway project for Varanasi. “The ropeway will not only add facility and attraction by bringing some towers, cables and gondolas to the city, but will further increase the economic opportunities as well as the stay of visitors and their spending here,” said Modi.
“The ropeway project will take the city’s internal connectivity to a new level,” the PM said, adding, “Covering the distance between Varanasi Cantt Railway station and Kashi Vishwanath Dham in a few minutes without getting stranded in heavy traffic would become a reality.”
“A large number of people also come to Kashi from adjoining cities and states for different work. They prefer to come in the morning and return after completing their work in the evening. Despite having time after completing their work and the wish to go to KV Dham or ghats along the Ganga, they prefer to go to the railway station or bus stand due to traffic issues.
The ropeway will enable such people to get their wish fulfilled. It will increase the stay of such people and their spending here, further boosting the economy and activities in the city,” the PM elaborated.
“Kashi’s development in the past nine years has defied the apprehensions of the people who were of the view that transforming the city is impossible,” he said, highlighting how development has made simultaneous ‘darshan’ of the old and the new in Kashi possible.
“There is a global buzz around Kashi Vishwanath Dham, rejuvenated ghats and also the longest river cruise started from Kashi. Be it roads, bridges, railways or airports, the connectivity to Varanasi has completely eased and seven crore pilgrims and tourists visited Kashi in just one year.
Almost 50 lakhs tourists coming here every month are creating new economic opportunities and employment,” said Modi, mentioning how visitors are enjoying local kachori-jalebi, lassi, thandai, paan, buying saris, carpets, wooden toys during their stay in the city.
