Project Overview

The Kona Expressway project is a road infrastructure project in West Bengal, connecting Kolkata and Howrah. It is a part of National Highway 12, which links to National Highway 14 in Kona. 

It is a 14.17 km-long expressway, operated by the Department of Public Works (West Bengal) and Howrah Municipal Corporation. The expressway starts from Kona in Howrah, West Bengal, and ends at Vidyasagar Setu, West Bengal. 

The six-lane (4 major & 2 service lanes) Kona Expressway’s foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 August 2025. It is to be built for INR 1,200 crore (approximately USD 143 million).

Upon its completion (expected by early 2026), the expressway will improve connectivity between Howrah, Kolkata, and neighboring regions by reducing travel time. Furthermore, it will reduce congestion on the expressway and boost economic activities in the region. 

Project Background

The Kona Expressway was inaugurated in 2001, playing a key role in enhancing the transportation network in West Bengal. Spanning 14.17 km, the expressway connects the Vidyasagar Setu, known as the Second Hooghly Bridge, with the National Highway 16 (NH-16) near Kona in Howrah. 

Initially, the expressway was designed to accommodate both daily commuters and freight traffic between the two prominent cities, Kolkata and Howrah. It comprises four major lanes and two service lanes. 

Upon operation in 2001, the expressway was designed to reduce travel time between Howrah's industrial belts (e.g., near Kona and Nibra) and Kolkata's core by up to 30-40 minutes, compared to pre-existing routes. 

It provided assistance for freight transport due to its proximity to the Kolkata Port and industrial areas in the Hooghly and Howrah districts. By the mid-2000s, however, it had already begun facing challenges from surging vehicle volumes, exacerbated by the completion of the Golden Quadrilateral in 2012, which funneled more inter-state traffic toward Kolkata.

Kona Expressway Elevated Corridors

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) decided to construct a 7.2 km long superhighway on the Kona Expressway. It is a six-lane elevated corridor that will be built at a cost of approximately INR 1,200 crore (approximately USD 143 million). It will run from Vidyasagar Setu (Second Hooghly Bridge) near Shibpur in Kolkata to NH 16 near Nibra in Howrah.

The aim is to reduce congestion and make the existing Kona Expressway into a high-capacity, seamless traffic corridor in Howrah, West Bengal. Some of the congestion points along the expressway include Shibpur, Carry Road Junction, Santragachi Railway Station, Santragachi Bus Terminus, and Canal Side Road. 

The construction contract has been awarded to Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). Along with the construction of the elevated corridors, the plan includes widening the at-grade four-lane road to complement the elevated structure and provide full-access surface roads for local traffic.

Foundation Stone Laid by PM Modi

The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, laid the foundation stone for the 7.2 km elevated corridor on August 22, 2025. It was during his visit to Howrah, as part of an INR 5,200 crore infrastructure push for Kolkata. 

Upon its operation (expected by 2026), the corridor is expected to spur economic growth in the Kolkata metropolitan region by creating a modern, efficient, and high-capacity transportation link. It will improve connectivity between Howrah, its neighbouring areas, and Kolkata. 

Kona Expressway Route

The Kona Expressway, a part of NH 12, connects the Vidyasagar Setu, known as the Second Hooghly Bridge, with the NH 16 near Kona in Howrah. 

It is a six-lane expressway (four major lanes and two service lanes), but narrows to two lanes on the Santragachi overbridge due to existing railway infrastructure.

Developed by the Howrah Municipal Corporation in the Howrah district, the expressway connects several major regions, including Jagacha, Santragachi, Belepole, and Gorpha

Furthermore, the expressway connects to the two major railway junctions, Shalimar and Santragachi, located near the Vidyasagar Setu toll centre. 

The expressway crossings at Carry Road facilitate access to Andul Road while running parallel to its main lines. 

It serves numerous bus routes that connect Kolkata to suburbs and long-distance destinations, including routes 26, KB15, VS12, and others.

Starting & Ending Points of the Kona Expressway

The starting and ending points of the Kona Expressway are as follows:

• Starting Point: Kona in Howrah district, West Bengal. It is the western end of the expressway located near NH 16 (previously NH 6) at Nibra.

• Ending Point: Vidyasagar Setu (also known as the Second Hooghly Bridge) toll plaza near Shibpur, West Bengal, which leads directly into Kolkata. It is the eastern terminus of the expressway.

Project Scope

The project scope includes the following: 

• Elevated Corridor Construction: The Kona Expressway involves the construction of a 7.2 km, six-lane corridor. It will enable high-speed travel in high-traffic areas, such as Santragachi bus/railway terminals, Shibpur, Canal Side Road, and the Carry road junction.

• Expressway speed limit: The Kona Expressway will enjoy a maximum speed limit of 120 km/hr. An updated speed limit has been implemented on the expressway following a recent revision by the Roads and Highways Authority of India. The same speed limit applies to the Kona Expressway. 

• Route connectivity with the National Highways: The expressway will merge important city routes with the National Highways (NH 12 and NH 16), resulting in direct access to the Santragachi Junction railway station and Santragachi bus terminus.

• Improved Infrastructure: The expressway features the construction of diverse ramps for entry and exit, as well as up and down ramps servicing NH-16, Santragachi, Belepole, Carry Road, and the Khejurtala truck terminal.

• Minimizing disruptions: The expressway focuses on minimizing disruptions at Carry Road (the connector to Andul Road) and Belepole (the link to Drainage Canal Road and Howrah Maidan).

• Reduce accidental risks: The focus is on diverting utilities, such as power lines and water mains, and on protection structures, bus shelters, and improved drainage systems. All these will reduce accidental risks. 

Kona Expressway Project Timeline

Kona Expressway Project Cost

The total estimated cost for the construction of the Kona Expressway is INR 1,200 crore (approximately USD 143 million). It includes the cost of the elevated corridor as well as improved infrastructure to enhance connectivity between Howrah, its surrounding neighbouring areas, and Kolkata.

Kona Expressway to Santragachi

The Kona Expressway to Santragachi is a key road network within the Howrah district, West Bengal. It serves as a key connector for daily travellers and freight traffic. Some of the key points regarding Santragachi are as follows:

• The Kona Expressway passes through Belepole, Jagacha, and Gorpha before reaching Santragachi, serving as a key connector for these areas.

• Santragachi railway station, situated near the expressway route, is the third-largest railway station in the Kolkata Metropolitan area and a major transit hub.

• The Santragachi bus station also falls along the route, functioning as an essential inter-city bus terminus.

• The six-lane expressway is narrowed down to two lanes on the Santragachi overbridge, where it crosses the Santragachi jheel and railway lines.

• The route serves several major bus routes that link Kolkata with its suburbs and nearby towns, including KB15, VS12, K11, and 26 (Mini), among others.

• Estimates of the distance between Santragachi railway station and Kona Expressway points vary from 2 km to 8 km, depending on the reference points taken for measurement.

• The under-construction Kona Expressway Elevated Corridor aims to reduce traffic congestion at Santragachi, a highly trafficked area along the route. 
  

Overall, the Kona Expressway to Santragachi stretch combines road and rail connectivity, while also managing the flow of heavy local and regional traffic. 

Benefits

The following are the benefits of the Kona Expressway:

• Improved connectivity: The expressway improves connectivity between Vidyasagar Setu in Kolkata and NH 16 in Kona. It provided easy access to areas like Santragachi, Belepole, and Gorpha. 

• Reduce travel time: The expressway will reduce travel time for commuters between Howrah suburbs and central Kolkata employment hubs by providing smooth travel through the ongoing elevated corridor. 

• Improved safety: The expressway design includes safety features like wide lanes, median dividers, traffic signs, and better drainage to reduce accidents. 

• Economic boost: Enhanced road connectivity boosts commercial and residential zones, increasing property values and attracting investments in housing, retail, and logistics. Overall, it brings an economic boost to the region. 

• Encourage public transport: The expressway route connects with several bus routes and railway junctions at Santragachi and Shalimar, improving commuter access to Kolkata's core areas.

Conclusion

The Kona Expressway is a transformative infrastructure connecting the two major cities of West Bengal, Kolkata and Howrah. Being part of National Highway 12, the expressway starts from Kona in Howrah and ends at Vidyasagar Setu, West Bengal. It is a six-lane expressway developed by the Department of Public Works (West Bengal) and Howrah Municipal Corporation. 

The Kona Expressway has been operational since 2001, spanning an area of 14.17 km. It plans to develop an elevated corridor spanning over 7.2 km. It will be developed for INR 1,200 crore (approximately USD 143 million). 

Its ongoing upgrades, including new lanes, elevated highways, and enhanced traffic management, are set to significantly reduce congestion, drive faster commutes, and create opportunities for local business and real estate growth.

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