PMO clears ₹12,000-cr Varanasi light metro project

Shortly after securing in-principal approval from the PMO for an urban transport system in Varanasi, RITES has finalized the routes of the light metro rail and ropeway projects involving an investment of ₹12,000 crore. The Ministry of Urban Development has already given funding approval and RITES has submitted a draft project report for smooth flow of vehicular traffic. According to the proposal the light metro will operate from BHEL to BHU in Tarna with 16 stations. At the same time, the route of the ropeway will be from the main Godoulia intersection of the city to Rath Yatra, beyond the Varanasi railway station to Khidkia Ghat. There is a plan to build the first Transport Hub, which will be the first of its kind in the country, at Khikkia Ghat. Apart from this, the route is proposed through the Varuna Corridor from Windows Ghat to Cantt. RITES has also proposed to operate common buses, including rapid ones in the city. Commissioner Deepak Aggarwal said that RITES officials have also been asked to include the running expenses of the light metro, ropeway, and estimated revenue from the traffic in the project.