Project Overview

The Varanasi Kolkata Expressway is a road infrastructure project developed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). Also known as the Varanasi Ranchi Kolkata Expressway, it is a six-lane (expandable) 610 km expressway.

​

This greenfield expressway project will connect Varanasi to Kolkata in half the time. Currently, it takes 12 to 14 hours to travel, but once the expressway is fully operational (expected by 2028), it will only take 6 to 7 hours.

​

The expressway covers four states, namely Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, passing through Ranchi. It begins at the Varanasi Ring Road in Barhuli Village, Uttar Pradesh. And ends at NH 19 in the Uluberia Region in West Bengal.

​

The project aims to boost tourism and logistics by easing truck traffic and integrating with broader corridors, such as the Mumbai-Kolkata freight routes.​ The state's infrastructural development will also drive economic growth.

Project Background

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) proposed the expressway project in 2019 under the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase II. Developed by the NHAI, the expressway will run parallel to the NH 19, providing a modern alternative for goods and passenger traffic.

​

The project construction is based on the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) began in 2020, following the approvals of MoRTH and NHAI. Tenders for construction packages were issued in November 2022, marking the shift toward implementation.

​

Early January 2022 was the start of the land acquisition process in Bihar, with broader activity ramping up in 2023. A significant milestone occurred on 23 February 2024, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the initial packages, particularly the Uttar Pradesh–Bihar sections.

Varanasi Kolkata Expressway Current Status & Completion Date

The work has been commissioned in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. West Bengal faces delays due to alignment issues. The project is expected to be completed by 2028.

Construction Delayed in West Bengal Due To Alignment

The Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the project has completed the land acquisition process in the Purulia, Bankura, and Hooghly districts of West Bengal. But the work is hindered, as the State Government has revised the expressway’s alignment.

The consent from the West Bengal Government was received on 3 January 2023. The revised alignment, in response to the State Government's request, was approved in October 2024.

​

The award of work and the start of construction shall be based on the outcome of the DPR, connectivity requirements, inter-se priority, and synergy with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

​

The expressway improves connectivity and fosters economic growth. Connecting West Bengal with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the expressway's operation boosts trade and tourism and creates more job opportunities.

​

However, due to delays by the West Bengal Government, the state lags behind the three other states in Expressway construction.

Varanasi Kolkata Expressway Route Map

Varanasi Kolkata Expressway Route

The Varanasi Kolkata Expressway is a 610 km-long expressway connecting the four states, namely Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. It runs parallel to the National Highway 19, passing through Ranchi.

​

Uttar Pradesh will have the smallest portion of the expressway, at 22 km. Bihar will cover 159 km of the expressway. Similarly, in Jharkhand, the expressway will be approximately 187 km. The last state, West Bengal, will witness the longest length of the Varanasi Kolkata Expressway, longer than in any of the other three states. It will be approximately 242 km long.  

​

The expressway will begin at the Varanasi Ring Road in Barhuli Village, near Chandauli District, Uttar Pradesh. Moving forward, it will enter Bihar, covering several cities. These include Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, and Gaya.

​

After Bihar, the expressway will enter Jharkhand state. Here it will pass through Chatra, Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, and Peterbar, crossing  Bokaro near Ranchi in Jharkhand.

​

In West Bengal, the expressway will pass through Purulia, Bankura, and Arambagh. The expressway will end at NH 19 in Uluberia. Uluberia is near Howrah (Kolkata).

Varanasi Kolkata Expressway Sections

Varanasi Kolkata Expressway Project Cost

The estimated cost for the construction of the Varanasi Kolkata Expressway is approximately INR 35,000 crores (USD 3.85 billion). It includes the construction cost and land acquisition cost of the expressway. The construction cost is approximately INR 25,000 crores, while the land acquisition cost is approximately INR 10,000 crores.

Project Timeline

Varanasi Kolkata Expressway Contractors

Benefits

The following are the benefits of the expressway:

• Reduce Travel Time: The expressway will halve travel time. Currently, it takes 12 to 14 hours to travel from Varanasi to Kolkata. Upon operation, it will only take 6 to 7 hours.  
  

• Faster Freight Movement: The expressway enables speedier passenger and freight movement at speeds up to 120 km/h.​
  

• Boost Economy: The expressway encourages mining, industrial, agricultural sectors, and trade by connecting Varanasi’s tourism, Ranchi’s industries, and Kolkata's ports, reducing logistics costs by 20-50%.​
  

• Job Opportunities: The expressway creates thousands of direct and indirect jobs in construction, logistics, retail, and related services during construction and after completion.​​
  

• Reduce Traffic: The expressway relieves pressure on NH-19 and the rail network, improves freight movement, and bypasses crowded routes. Ultimately, it results in reduced traffic.
  

• Social & Tourism Gains: Improves safety with flyovers/underpasses, promotes tourism from Varanasi's ghats to Kolkata's hubs, and elevates land values for farmers.

Conclusion

The Varanasi Kolkata Expressway is a 610 km greenfield infrastructure project, connecting Varanasi to Kolkata in 6 hours. It aims to boost tourism and logistics by easing truck traffic and integrating with broader corridors, such as the Mumbai-Kolkata freight routes.

​

Developed by the NHAI under the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase II, the expressway is expected to be completed by 2028. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the expressway on 23 February 2024.

​

This six-lane expressway is marked as a transformative project for Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal, strengthening freight movement and combining key economic hubs like Varanasi, Ranchi, and Kolkata, while linking to NH-19.

​

Track the Latest Infrastructure Projects in India for Business Opportunities.

Subscribe to our upcoming and ongoing infrastructure projects in India to access reliable, high-quality insights on forthcoming and completed infrastructure projects across the country.

Our user-friendly platform provides essential details, timely updates, key stakeholder contact information, and business opportunities tailored for engineering companies, industry professionals, investors, and government agencies.

Start a free demo to take your business to the next level.