Varanasi Kolkata Expressway: Route, Connecting Cities, Cost & Current Status

Table of Content:

1. Varanasi Kolkata Expressway: An Overview​
2. Varanasi Kolkata Expressway: Key Features
3. Varanasi Kolkata Expressway Village List
4. Varanasi Ranchi Kolkata Expressway Route
5. Sections of Varanasi Kolkata Expressway
6. Varanasi Kolkata Expressway: Construction Contract

Did you know the total, whopping road network in India is 6.37 million kilometres? Yes! The Central Government of India initiated BharatMala Pariyojana in 2017, and aims to connect 65,000 kilometres of national and economic corridors, border and coastal roads, and expressways. Adding to this list is a new emerging road network - known as Varanasi Kolkata expressway which is all set to be operational by 2026. 

Let us find out about the length, the cost of the Varanasi Kolkata expressway, and its route. Continue reading this blog.

Varanasi Kolkata Expressway: An Overview

Varanasi Kolkata Expressway (also called Varanasi Ranchi Kolkata Expressway) is a six-lane access-controlled highway by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) that connects Varanasi, Ranchi, and Kolkata. The length of the Varanasi Kolkata expressway is close to 610 kilometres.

This greenfield expressway is currently being constructed under Phase Two of Bharatmala Pariyojna (BMP). 

Varanasi-Kolkata expressway begins at Barhuli and ends in Uluberia. It crosses the following four states:

• Uttar Pradesh

• Bihar

• Jharkhand

• West Bengal

The total estimated cost of the Varanasi Kolkata expressway is INR 28,500 crores. The land acquisition cost process started for an 80-kilometre section in Bihar in January 2022. This road network project is slated to be completed in 2026.

Varanasi Kolkata Expressway: Key Features

Below you will find Varanasi Kolkata Expressway key features:

• The Varanasi Ranchi Kolkata expressway will redirect traffic from nearby areas.  

• It will reduce the travel time between cities and improve the connectivity between the four states it will cross.  

• The total distance between Varanasi and Kolkata currently is 690 kilometres, and it takes 12 to 14 hours. The Varanasi Kolkata expressway will reduce this travel time by approximately 50%, i.e. 6 to 7 hours. 

• Varanasi-Kolkata expressway will also reduce the travel time between Delhi and Kolkata.

• Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal use the Kolkata and Haldia ports for maritime trade.  As per the Varanasi Kolkata expressway route map will reduce the time taken to move goods and the growth of trade in these regions.

• This Kolkata Varanasi expressway connectivity will lead to a surge in goods transported in bulk by road. It will lead to the development of industries along the expressway and create jobs.
  

• Not to forget, the development of new localities and residential housing nearby will eventually follow too. 

Varanasi Kolkata Expressway Village List

As per the varanasi kolkata expressway village list expressway is slated to traverse 67 villages including Chatra, Simaria, Huntergunj, and Pathalgada. Representatives from the Gram Sabha indicated, "Originating from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, the Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata expressway village list will span Bihar, Jharkhand, and conclude in Bengal. It will traverse areas such as Chatra, Hazaribag, Ramgarh, and Bokaro in Jharkhand.

Interesting Read: Can India's Expressways Change The Dynamics of The Real Estate Market?

Varanasi Ranchi Kolkata Expressway Route

The length of the Varanasi Ranchi Kolkata Expressway route in the four states is:

The Varanasi Kolkata Expressway will begin in Barhuli Village from Varanasi ring road. The village is located near the Chandauli District in Uttar Pradesh. It will enter Bihar after crossing the state border.

There’s also a provision for a tunnel in the Kaimur District, Bihar. The length of the tunnel will be 5 kilometres. The Varanasi to Kolkata expressway will pass through the following cities of Bihar:

• Kaimur

• Rohtas

• Aurangabad

• Gaya

After crossing these four cities, the Varanasi-Kolkata expressway will pass through Jharkhand. It will pass through the following cities of Jharkhand:

• Chatra

• Hazaribagh

• Ramgarh

• Peterbar

The Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata expressway will end in the Uluberia region of West . It will pass through the following cities of West Bengal:

• Purulia

• Bankura

• Arambagh

Sections of Varanasi Kolkata Expressway

The five sections of the Varanasi Kolkata expressway are:

Varanasi Kolkata Expressway: Construction Contract

The National Highway Authority of India began inviting tenders for construction in November 2022. Here is how the packages are allotted for each of the four states: 

• Package 1 is allotted for Uttar Pradesh

• Package 1 to 7 is allotted for Bihar

• Package 8 to 13 is allotted for Jharkhand

• Package 14 and beyond is allotted for West Bengal

Conclusion

The development of the Varanasi Ranchi Kolkata expressway will have a positive impact on the real estate sector and its surrounding areas. It will enhance connectivity and will lead to industrial development which will in turn increase residential real estate. The completion of Varanasi-Kolkata expressway will flourish big industries and reduce travel time between the two cities to half. 

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