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• The Union Cabinet has approved two elevated corridor projects worth INR 25,445.96 crore to improve traffic flow, strengthen regional connectivity and reduce congestion in Varanasi.
• The projects comprise a 46.04-km Ganga corridor and a 43.22-km Varuna corridor, both to be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) by NHAI.
• The corridors will improve access to transport hubs, religious landmarks and logistics nodes while cutting travel time across the city.
• The integrated projects are expected to support tourism, freight movement and long-term economic development in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
The Centre has sanctioned two major elevated road projects for Varanasi with a combined investment of INR 25,445.96 crore, paving the way for one of the city's most ambitious transport infrastructure upgrades. Designed to address increasing traffic volumes and improve urban mobility, the projects are expected to create faster links between national highways, transport terminals and key destinations while reducing pressure on Varanasi's existing road network.
Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, the projects will be executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Hybrid Annuity Model. Together, they comprise an elevated corridor along the Ganga riverfront connecting NH-19 with the Varanasi Ring Road and another corridor running along the Varuna river that will link NH-31 with the city's ring road network. Once completed, the two corridors will function as complementary transport arteries, enabling smoother movement around and through the city.
The Ganga corridor, spanning just over 46 km, has been planned as a six-lane elevated route incorporating major engineering structures, including a cable-stayed bridge across the Ganga and an elevated pedestrian bridge equipped with travelators. The alignment is intended to improve access to prominent destinations such as Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Banaras Hindu University, Ramnagar, Namo Ghat and the city's railway network, while diverting through traffic away from densely populated urban areas.
The second project, stretching over 43 km along the Varuna river, will establish a high-speed connection between NH-31 and several important transport and logistics facilities. Besides easing travel within Varanasi, the corridor is expected to strengthen connectivity with the airport, railway stations, inland water transport facilities and the neighbouring Chandauli region, improving the movement of both passengers and freight.
A key objective of the twin projects is to significantly reduce travel time across the city. By providing access-controlled corridors with operating speeds of up to 100 kmph, the government expects journeys that currently take 40 to 60 minutes on congested urban roads to be completed in nearly half the time. Reduced delays are also expected to lower vehicle operating costs, improve fuel efficiency and enhance road safety by separating long-distance traffic from local movement.
The corridors have also been integrated into the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to improve multimodal connectivity. They will provide seamless links between highways, airports, railway stations and inland waterways while supporting access to economic and logistics hubs across eastern Uttar Pradesh. With Varanasi receiving millions of tourists and pilgrims every year, the upgraded road infrastructure is expected to improve visitor movement and strengthen the city's role as both a cultural destination and an emerging economic centre.
Beyond easing congestion, the projects are expected to create long-term benefits for trade, tourism and regional development by making transport networks more efficient and resilient. Together, the two corridors represent a significant investment in modernising Varanasi's urban infrastructure and preparing the city for future growth.
Source- PIB
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