A new option for moving through Kashi
Residents and visitors in Varanasi can now access e-bikes and bicycles on rent under a public-sharing system launched on Monday as part of the Fit India initiative. The service is designed to offer an alternative for short urban journeys while encouraging physical activity and reducing dependence on private motor vehicles.
The project, prepared jointly by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation and Smart City, will be introduced in two phases. In the first phase, dedicated stations are being established in Sigra, Sarnath, Kachhari and the Cantonment area. The authorities plan to extend the network to other parts of the city after the initial rollout, including locations with wider roads.
QR access and GPS tracking
The system uses a digital access model. A user can scan the QR code placed at a bike stand, make the required payment and take an e-bike or a regular bicycle for use. The vehicles are fitted with GPS trackers, while the stands are intended to provide fixed points where the shared cycles can be picked up and returned.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial network | 18 dedicated stations |
| First-phase locations | Sigra, Sarnath, Kachhari and Cantonment |
| Vehicles | E-bikes and regular bicycles |
| Access | QR-code payment system |
| Tracking | GPS fitted on vehicles |
Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal said each stand would hold between 10 and 15 e-bikes and bicycles. The charges have been kept nominal, according to the project details, making the service intended for public use rather than a premium transport option. The arrangement also allows users to choose between assisted electric travel and conventional cycling.
Designed for Varanasi’s narrow lanes
The move addresses one of the practical challenges of travelling through the old city. Large vehicles cannot easily enter Varanasi’s narrow lanes, whereas smaller cycles can pass through such stretches more conveniently. The new service is therefore expected to be useful for people moving between public areas as well as tourists visiting the city’s ghats, attending the Ganga Aarti and taking boat rides.
Tourism has increased in Kashi in recent years, with approximately 4 to 5 lakh visitors now arriving in the city every day, according to the report. The shared-bike network could provide visitors with another way to cover local distances, while residents may use it for short trips in areas where road access is constrained. Its effectiveness will depend on the availability of vehicles and stands at the designated locations as the first phase progresses.
Fitness and green mobility goals
The project combines two stated objectives: promoting fitness and supporting eco-friendly urban transport. By making bicycles and e-bikes available at public stations, the authorities aim to encourage people to choose smaller vehicles instead of private motor vehicles. The initiative is also aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of green mobility, according to the project description.
- The first phase covers four Varanasi areas: Sigra, Sarnath, Kachhari and Cantonment.
- Users can unlock the vehicles through QR-code-based payment.
- The network is planned for expansion after the initial rollout.
For Varanasi, the launch places shared mobility alongside the city’s existing transport options and its expanding visitor economy. The immediate focus is on establishing the first 18 stations, making the service accessible at key public locations and assessing its use before extending it to more areas. With regular bicycles and e-bikes available through the same system, the rollout gives the city a new mobility link between fitness, tourism and movement through its congested urban stretches.
