The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved two major elevated corridor projects worth over ₹25,445 crore to ease traffic congestion, improve connectivity and strengthen multimodal transport infrastructure in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
The projects include a 43.218-km Varuna River Elevated Corridor connecting NH-31 and the Varanasi Ring Road, and a 46.039-km Ganga River Elevated Corridor linking NH-19 with the Varanasi Ring Road. Both projects will be executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM).
Together, the two corridors are expected to significantly reduce travel time, improve access to key transport hubs and religious sites, and support economic growth in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
The Varuna Elevated Corridor, approved at a total capital cost of ₹10,998.32 crore, will comprise a predominantly six/four-lane elevated carriageway along the Varuna riverbank with flyovers, ramps, loops and service roads.
The project is expected to reduce travel time between NH-31 and Kashi Railway Station from around 40 minutes to 20 minutes, while providing seamless connectivity to the Varanasi Ring Road, Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Kashi Railway Station, Varanasi Junction, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Ramnagar Port, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, the ghats of Varanasi and the adjoining Chandauli region.
According to the government, the corridor will improve road safety, reduce vehicle operating costs and facilitate smoother movement of passenger and freight traffic. It will also enhance connectivity to one Economic Node (Chandauli Social Economic Zone), one Social Node (Chandauli) and six major logistics hubs under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
The second project, the Ganga Elevated Corridor, has been approved at a total capital cost of ₹14,447.64 crore.
The six-lane elevated corridor will feature 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, loops, ramps, link roads and service roads.
Designed for speeds of 80-100 kmph, the corridor is expected to reduce average travel time across its influence area from 60 minutes to 20 minutes, while cutting travel time between NH-19 and Kashi Railway Station from about 50 minutes to 25 minutes.
The project will improve connectivity to major religious, cultural and educational landmarks, including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Namo Ghat, Ramnagar Fort and the Ghats of Varanasi.
It will also strengthen access to major transport hubs such as Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Kashi Railway Station, Banaras Railway Station, Varanasi City Railway Station, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction and Ramnagar IWAI Port.
The government said the project incorporates several landmark engineering features, including the cable-stayed bridge, an extradosed pedestrian bridge with travelators providing access to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, a rail overbridge over the existing and proposed Malviya Bridge, emergency parking bays, noise barriers and architectural elements inspired by Varanasi’s cultural heritage.
The elevated spur between BHU/Lanka and Samne Ghat is expected to ease congestion at the busy Lanka Junction by separating through traffic from local traffic.
According to the government, both projects have been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to improve multimodal connectivity, strengthen logistics, facilitate tourism and pilgrimage, and support sustainable regional economic development.
With over 15 crore tourists and pilgrims visiting Varanasi every year, the corridors are expected to significantly enhance urban mobility, reduce congestion on existing roads and create a modern, access-controlled transport network supporting the city’s long-term growth.
