Varanasi, India Status: UnderwayCASE STUDY 4 Inland waterways and cable car system Overview of mobility challenge Located in northern India, Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest cities, known for its dense population, cultural sites and narrow streets. In 2023, India’s tourism agency reported that more than 53.8 million domestic and international tourists visited the city.53 This popularity, however, strains its transport infrastructure, with three national and four state highways critical for connectivity yet overwhelmed by traffic. The congestion, especially around major hubs like the Varanasi railway station, hampers movement and complicates transport needs in this historic city. Given the impracticality of conventional public transport solutions like light rail due to space constraints, innovative alternatives are essential to alleviate congestion and enhance traffic flow. Solutions: Inland waterways and cable car system Inland waterways The establishment of inland waterways presents a more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable means of transporting people and goods over both short (within the city) and long distances (inter-city movement), fostering tourism and economic opportunities for communities residing along the riverbanks. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), operating under the Ministry of Shipping, serves as the statutory body responsible for overseeing the development and regulation of inland waterways.54 One noteworthy initiative of the IWAI is the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP), financially supported by the World Bank.55 This endeavour aims to integrate various modes of transportation, ultimately resulting in the movement of large quantities of goods and passengers in a short time span, thereby reducing congestion on railways and roads, minimizing the carbon footprint and optimizing resource utilization. Some of the major initiatives taken by this project under the Ministry of Shipping are establishing multi-modal terminals along the Ganga River (Figure 6), with Varanasi being a key location. It also includes the development of jetties within a 250-kilometre stretch between Varanasi and Ballia in Uttar Pradesh state of India. Completed components: Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) at Varanasi: Inaugurated on 12 November 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this terminal is fully operational, handling cargo and passenger traffic. It marked a milestone with the first cargo vessel arriving from Kolkata in 2018. Floating terminals: Operational at multiple locations, including Ghazipur, Rajghat (Varanasi), and Prayagraj, facilitating local connectivity and cargo movement.STATUS Allahabad VaranasiGhazipurKalughat Patna Munger Bhagalpur Sahibganji Pakur Bandel TribeniFarakka Kolkata Haldia 2.2mDepth2.5m 3.0mNatutanwa (Nepal) Raxaul (Nepal) Biratnagar (Nepal) Multimodal terminals Intermodal terminals Floating terminals Ro-Ro terminals Small community jetties Ferry locationsFIGURE 6. Arth Ganga masterplan – Multimodal terminals along the Ganga River56 Combatting Congestion: How Cities and Companies are Innovating First- and Last-Mile Transport 16

Combatting Congestion 2025