Foot Over Bridge to Direct Varanasi Junction Passengers to Urban Ropeway

VARANASI, INDIA — In a major infrastructure development aimed at streamlining urban transit, passengers traveling through Varanasi Junction (Cantt Railway Station) will soon enjoy direct, elevated access to India's first urban public transport ropeway system.

A dedicated Foot Over Bridge (FOB) will directly connect the railway station's Third Passenger Hall to the first floor of the primary Cantt ropeway station, enabling commuters to switch between train and cable car transit without stepping out onto crowded ground-level streets.

Project Specifications and Temporary Route Guidance

The new connector bridge is designed with specific dimensions to handle high passenger footfall efficiently:

• Dimensions & Design: The FOB will measure 7 meters in length and 5 meters in width, supported by four heavy-duty pillars based on an official design prepared by Indian Railways.

• Execution: Construction is being handled by the agency executing the broader ropeway project, with physical marking completed and excavation scheduled to begin shortly.

• Target Timeline: Authorities have set an ambitious completion target of two months for the bridge work.

📍 Temporary Passenger Diversion

During the two-month construction phase, the standard path connecting the Third Passenger Hall to the platforms via the new FOB site will remain temporarily closed. To minimize inconvenience, railway authorities have established a temporary alternative route passing through the inner gate of the passenger shelter and the ropeway premises.

Transforming Kashi's Transport Landscape

The ₹800-crore Varanasi Urban Ropeway Project spans approximately 3.75 to 3.8 kilometers, designed to drastically cut down urban congestion between Varanasi Junction and the core temple zones around Godowlia Chowk.

With key stations at Cantt, Kashi Vidyapith, and Rathyatra completed and final alignment work progressing near Girjaghar Crossing and Godowlia, the operationalization of this FOB will mark a crucial milestone in multimodal integration for pilgrims, daily commuters, and international tourists visiting Kashi.