Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of India's first and the world's third public transport ropeway during his visit to his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Friday. The estimated cost of the ropeway project, which will run from Varanasi Cantt station to Godowlia, is Rs 645 crore, reported news agency PTI.
The ropeway system will cover a distance of 3.75 km with five stations, facilitating ease of movement and travel for tourists, pilgrims and residents of Varanasi.
The construction of the ropeway will ease the path of devotees going to the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. Anurag Tripathi, project director, National Highways Logistics Pvt Ltd, said that India would be the third country in the world after Bolivia and Mexico City to have a ropeway for public transport.
Abhishek Goyal, vice-president, Varanasi Development Authority (VDA), told IANS, "In the first phase, the country's first public transport ropeway will operate from Cantt to Godaulia in Kashi. When the project takes shape, pilgrims will be able to board the ropeway to reach Godaulia, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Dashashwamedh Ghat. Through this service, they would not have to face traffic on the roads."
Moreover, during his visit, PM Modi will address the 'One World TB Summit' on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day in Varanasi and launch projects worth over Rs 1,780 crore.
He will launch various initiatives, including the TB-free panchayat initiative, official rollout of a shorter TB Preventive Treatment (TPT) countrywide and a family-centric care model for TB. India's annual TB Report 2023 will also released by the Prime Minister on Friday.
During a programme at the Sampurnanand Sanskrit University ground, PM Modi will dedicate and lay the foundation stones of projects worth over Rs 1,780 crore.
Among these is a 55 MLD sewage treatment plant at Bhagwanpur. This will be done under the Namami Ganga Scheme, the development of which will cost over Rs 300 crore, reported PTI.
Under the Khelo India Scheme, the foundation stone of Phase 2 and 3 of redevelopment work of the Sigra Stadium will be laid by the Prime Minister.
He will also dedicate a total of 19 drinking water programmes for the benefit of over three lakh residents in about 63 panchayats under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
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To further strengthen the rural drinking water system, he will also lay the foundation stone of 59 drinking water schemes under the mission. Several other development initiatives will also be launched by Modi.