The Supreme Court has intervened to pause construction of the Dashashwamedh Ghat station, a key component of the ambitious Varanasi Ropeway Project. This comes in response to allegations from property owners claiming illegal demolition of their land.
A bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Sanjay Karol issued the interim stay, mandating the Uttar Pradesh government and the Varanasi Development Authority to maintain the status quo. The court has set an April 14 deadline for the authorities to respond to the petition.
The Varanasi Ropeway Project, envisioned as India’s first public transport aerial cable car system, aims to ease the city’s notorious traffic congestion. Spanning 4.2 kilometers, the system would link Cantt Railway Station with Godauliya, featuring stations near landmarks like the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Dashashwamedh Ghat.
However, controversy erupted when property owners at Dashashwamedh claimed their land—comprising five shops across 4,083 square feet—was demolished without notice or compensation. The owners allege violations of their constitutional rights, including the right to property, equality, and personal liberty. They initially approached the Allahabad High Court, which acknowledged the demolition but did not halt further construction. Dissatisfied, they escalated the matter to the Supreme Court.
The petitioners argue that the demolition occurred without due process, acquisition notices, or compensation proceedings under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, 2013. They contend that the actions of the authorities have caused significant and irreversible harm.
The case highlights the tension between urban development and individual property rights, raising questions about the balance between public infrastructure projects and legal safeguards for citizens. Further developments await the April hearing, where the court will examine the responses from the state and local authorities.