PMO Advisor Tarun Kapoor Directs June Launch for Varanasi Ropeway

Varanasi: Prime Minister’s Office advisor Tarun Kapoor has directed officials to ensure that the under-construction ropeway project between Cantt Railway Station and Godaulia becomes operational by June. During his visit to Varanasi on Tuesday, Kapoor inspected the project sites and instructed the executing agency to begin trial runs from April.

The visit is being considered significant ahead of the Prime Minister’s proposed tour of the city. Media access was restricted during the advisor’s engagements.

After offering prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Kapoor reviewed operations within the temple complex, including crowd management, security arrangements, and the broader economic impact of the corridor project. He then assessed progress at ropeway stations in the Godaulia and Girijaghar areas.

Officials from National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), the implementing agency, assured completion of the ropeway project by June. Kapoor emphasized that the deadline would not be extended further and stressed prioritizing passenger safety and smooth urban mobility. Divisional Commissioner S. Rajalingam briefed him on the operational and management framework planned for the ropeway system.

The PMO advisor also inspected the waste-to-charcoal plant at Ramna, directing authorities to strengthen waste disposal mechanisms and enhance the utilization of produced charcoal. Later, he visited the compressed biogas (CBG) plant at Shahanshahpur, established under the CSR initiative of the Adani Group. The plant produces biogas and organic manure from cattle waste. Kapoor reviewed raw material sourcing and operational processes and suggested replicating similar facilities in other locations.

In the afternoon, Kapoor chaired a review meeting at the Commissionerate auditorium to assess progress across major infrastructure projects and discuss preparations for the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit. He instructed officials that only fully completed projects should be inaugurated, and foundation stones should be laid only for schemes whose formal processes are complete.

The ropeway project, once operational, is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion between Cantt Station and the city’s core areas, marking a major step toward modern urban transport infrastructure in Varanasi.