New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Varanasi elevated corridor project worth ₹10,998.32 crore to ease traffic congestion, improve connectivity and reduce travel time across Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Cabinet Committee meeting. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will implement the 43.218-km project under the Hybrid Annuity Model. The project includes a predominantly elevated 6/4-lane corridor with flyovers, ramps, loops, service roads and the main carriageway.
The corridor will connect NH-31 with the Varanasi Ring Road along the Varuna River. In addition, it will provide seamless access to Kashi Railway Station, Varanasi Airport, Varanasi Junction, Varanasi City Railway Station, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Ramnagar Port, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, the city’s ghats and the adjoining Chandauli region.
Varanasi elevated corridor to halve travel time
The project will support operating speeds of 80–100 kmph. As a result, travel time between NH-31 and Kashi Railway Station will fall from about 40 minutes to 20 minutes. The corridor will also improve road safety, reduce vehicle operating costs and ensure smoother movement of passenger and freight traffic.
Moreover, the project will strengthen regional connectivity by linking one economic node, one social node and six major logistics nodes under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. It will also improve the movement of agricultural produce, industrial goods, construction materials and minerals across eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Furthermore, the government expects the corridor to promote tourism, strengthen multimodal transport and support economic growth. Consequently, the project aims to improve urban mobility and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
