Rs.14,447.64cr high-speed project will connect to NH-19
The Cabinet has approved a 46.039 km six-lane Greenfield Ganga Elevated Corridor, along with ramps, loops and an extradosed Foot Over Bridge, between NH-19 and the Varanasi Ring Road (NH-135B) in Uttar Pradesh, at a total capital cost of Rs.14,447.64 crore.
Conceived as a high-speed, access-controlled corridor, the project will connect NH-19, the Varanasi Ring Road, Ramnagar, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and other key destinations, significantly decongesting the road network of Varanasi and Chandauli while strengthening Varanasi’s position as a global spiritual destination, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said on 5 Aug.
Designed for an operating speed of 80-100 kmph, the corridor is expected to reduce average travel time across the project influence area from nearly 60 minutes to about 20 minutes, a reduction of approximately 67 per cent. Travel time between NH-19 and Kashi Railway Station will also reduce from around 50 minutes to about 25 minutes, making travel significantly faster and more reliable for residents, pilgrims and tourists alike, the Ministry said.
Building modern infrastructure in a city with over 3,000 years of history demands an approach that respects its cultural legacy. The corridor incorporates several landmark engineering features, including an iconic 910-metre cable-stayed bridge across the River Ganga, a 1.32 km extradosed Foot Over Bridge-cum-Major Bridge equipped with travelators that will provide seamless pedestrian connectivity to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and a Rail Over Bridge over the existing and proposed Malviya Bridge.
Additional features such as dedicated emergency parking bays, noise barriers, façade lighting and architectural elements inspired by the cultural heritage of Varanasi will not only improve mobility but also enhance the city’s urban landscape. These iconic structures are expected to become new landmarks, reinforcing Varanasi’s identity as one of India’s foremost spiritual and cultural destinations.
Aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the corridor will create a seamless multimodal transport ecosystem by integrating highways, railways, airports and inland waterways. It will provide enhanced connectivity to NH-19, the Varanasi Ring Road, Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Kashi Railway Station and the Ramnagar IWAI Inland Waterways Terminal, enabling efficient movement of both passengers and freight.
By linking key economic, social and logistics nodes, the project will improve logistics efficiency, strengthen last-mile connectivity, enhance road safety and facilitate smoother movement across eastern Uttar Pradesh. The project, approved last month, will also support sustainable urban growth while ensuring that Varanasi remains well connected to national and international transport networks. Fiinews.com
