Fact Check: No, Varanasi Ropeway is Not Costlier Than Japan’s Maglev Train
The ropeway project in Varanasi is part of the central government’s ambitious urban transport mission. It is being
Claim :
Japan's Meglev train costs about 616 crore rupees, less than the cost of building ropeway in Varanasi, which is due to corruptionFact :
The cost of Japan's Meglev train is more than 64 billion dollars, not as claimed in the viral post
The ropeway project in Varanasi is part of the central government’s ambitious urban transport mission. It is being developed with support from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways The entire project will span roughly 3.8 kilometres, connecting important city points such as Varanasi Cantonment Railway Station to Godowlia Chowk. The total cost is estimated to be around INR 807 crore, with advanced cable car systems designed for safe, reliable, and efficient commuting. Major stations along the ropeway project will be equipped with medical rooms, trained nurses, first aid facilities and ambulance services.
Meanwhile, an image comparing the Varanasi ropeway and Japan’s Maglev train, is going viral on social media. These posts claim that the Japan’s Maglev project costs less than the Ropeway project in Varanasi. The text on the image claims that Japan’s Maglev train that runs at 310 mph is Rs616 crore ($70 million), while the cost of 3.75km ropeway built in Varanasi is Rs800 crore.
Fact Check:
The claim is False. The Japan’s Maglev train estimated costs more than 64 billion dollars, which is costlier than Varanasi’s ropeway.
When we searched about japan’s Maglev train, we found few videos and websites that state that the project costed $64 billion.
Japan’s Maglev, a superconducting magnetic levitation (SCMaglev) train, is being developed for the upcoming Chūō Shinkansen line. The train uses powerful magnets to levitate above the tracks, eliminating friction and enabling travel at extremely high speeds.
Japan’s Maglev train is being built for the Chuo Shinkansen line. The first phase, from Tokyo to Nagoya, has been delayed to 2034 due to extensive tunneling, environmental concerns, and high costs. The technology uses superconducting magnets for levitation and high-speed travel, requiring specially built tracks. The project faces hurdles including local resistance to environmental impacts and geological challenges, pushing back the Osaka extension to beyond 2037.
PIB fact check also debunks this claim and states that A social media post claims that the cost of Japan's Maglev train, which runs 310 mph, is ₹616 crore, while the cost of a 3.75 km ropeway built in Varanasi is ₹800 crore. #PIBFactCheck. The cost of Japan's single set of Maglev train has been wrongly compared to the total cost of Varanasi's ropeway project. The actual cost of the entire Maglev train project is much higher. Beware of such social media posts spreading misleading content. Always verify such claims from official GOI sources.
Therefore, the claim that the ropeway being built in Varanasi is costlier than the Japan’s Maglev train is False. The Maglev train cost is morethan 64 billion dollars, whereas ropeway costs approximately Rs 800 crore.
