Varanasi Ropeway Swaying Video Sparks Safety Debate

A video of a ropeway cabin from the Kashi Ropeway project in Varanasi, India, swaying during a test run has gone viral on social media.

The Kashi Ropeway is India's first urban aerial cable car system, designed to connect Varanasi Cantonment Railway Station with Godowlia, reducing travel time from 45 minutes to 15 minutes.

Officials have clarified that the swaying seen in the video is part of a standard safety test to check the gondolas' behavior under wind forces and dynamic loads.

They assured that the movement is within permissible limits and complies with international safety standards.

Despite these reassurances, some social media users have expressed concerns about the project's safety and the high public expenditure.

The Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry issued a fact check, declaring the video misleading and explaining that the swing is part of the testing process to ensure safety norms compliance.