The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved the viability gap funding, feasibility report, request for proposal (RfP) documents, draft concession document, etc for the upcoming Varanasi ropeway project. The 3.65 km ropeway project will start from Varanasi Cantt and go up to the Church Crossing via Sajan Tiraha and Rath Yatra. As per estimate, 80,000 passengers will use the ropeway per day.
The Housing and Urban Planning Department set up a bid evaluation committee. The project will be developed in public private partnership (PPP) mode. It was decided that the Centre will contribute 20 per cent to the Rs 410 crore project as viability gap funding and the same amount will be contributed by the state government. The remaining 60 per cent will be funded by the concessionaire. The new Khandsari Licensing Policy has also been issued for five years this time instead of a single year. The Policy will help in promoting small and cottage industries.