The Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway (Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata expressway) is an upcoming 610-km, six-lane, access-controlled expressway. It is expected to be ready by 2026. A detailed project report (DPR) on the expressway is awaited. However, the initial land demarcation has been done for the project.
Once operational, the proposed expressway will provide smooth connectivity for those travelling from Delhi to Kolkata, reducing the travel time to 17 hours. The Delhi to Varanasi travel time has significantly reduced to over 10 hours through the Purvanchal Expressway, the Lucknow-Agra Expressway and the Yamuna Expressway.
The Varanasi-Kolkata expressway will start from Varanasi Ring Road in Chandauli district and link National Highway-16 (NH16) near Uluberia in Bengal’s Howrah district. Currently, most traffic runs between Varanasi and Kolkata through NH19.
Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway: Key facts
| Project | Varanasi-Kolkata expressway |
| Project cost | Rs 35,000 crore |
| Length of the expressway | 610 km |
| Travel time | 6-7 hours |
| Number of lanes | 6 lane, expandable |
| Start point | Barhuli |
| End point | Uluberia |
| Completion date | 2027 |
| Project owned by | National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) |
| Construction mode | Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) |
Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway route
| State | Distance (km) | Districts covered |
| Uttar Pradesh | 22 | Chandauli |
| Bihar | 159 | Kaimur, Aurangabad, Rohtas and Gaya |
| Jharkhand | 187 | Bokaro, Ramgarh, Hazaribagh and Chatra |
| West Bengal | 242 | Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Medinipur, Hooghly and Howrah |
The Varanasi-Kolkata expressway route will start at Chand in Bihar, bordering Chaudali in UP and end at Imamganj in Gaya. It will connect four districts each of Bihar and Jharkhand and enter West Bengal through Purulia district.
It will cover cities such as Mohania, Rohtas, Sasaram, Aurangabad, Gaya, Chatra, Hazaribagh, Ranchi, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Ramgarh, Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Medinipur, Hooghly and Howrah.
The Varanasi-Kolkata expressway, proposed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), will run parallel to the NH19 (Old NH12). In Bihar, the process of acquiring land for an 80-km section from Tilouthu to Imamganj began in January 2022.
Varanasi-Kolkata expressway route sections
The Varanasi-Kolkata expressway route will be divided into five sections:
- Section 1: This section, covering around 74 km, will start from the Barhuli near Varanasi and end at Rampur, in Bihar’s Buxar district.
- Section 2: The section will cover around 40 km and connect Rampur to Tetahar village.
- Section 3: The third section of the Varanasi-Kolkata expressway will span around 70 km. It will cover Tetahar Village in Bihar to Shahpur, District Gaya in Bihar.
- Section 4: This section will cover 191 km and will connect Shahpur to Kamalpur.
- Section 5: The fifth section of the highway will connect Kamalpur and end at Uluberia, covering 237 km.
Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway cost and project details
The project will be developed under the Bharatmala Pariyojana at an estimated cost of Rs 35,000 crore.
According to media reports, the NHAI issued a notification, naming the 610-km Varanasi-Kolkata expressway as NH319B. Presently, it takes about 12 to 14 hours to cover a distance of 690 km between Varanasi and Kolkata. The upcoming expressway will reduce the travel time between the cities significantly.
Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway: Benefits and real estate impact
The 610-km Varanasi-Kolkata expressway is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion and boost connectivity between the two cities. This is also expected to facilitate easy freight movement, promoting increased economic activities and industrial development. This will also lead to creation of more jobs in the region.
Further, owing to these factors, the region along the corridor is also expected to witness growth in the demand for commercial properties. There will also be a considerable growth in the demand for housing options in the various localities along the corridor.
FAQs
What is the status of Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway?
The Varanasi- Kolkata expressway is an upcoming expressway, which is expected to be completed by 2026.
What is the length of Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway?
The Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway will cover a distance of 610 km.
How many districts will the Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway cover?
The Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway will cover several districts, including four districts in Bihar.
What is the cost of Varanasi-Kolkata expressway cover?
The Kolkata-Varanasi expressway will be developed at a cost of Rs 35,000 crore.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
