Cabinet Approves Two Varanasi Highway Corridors Worth Over Rs 25,400 Crore
The first project involves the development of a 43.218-km link corridor connecting NH-31 with the Varanasi Ring Road along the River Varuna. The six/four-lane predominantly elevated corridor will be developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) at a total cost of Rs. 10,998.32 crore. Designed for speeds of 80-100 kmph, the corridor will reduce travel time between NH-31 and Kashi Railway Station from around 40 minutes to 20 minutes while improving access to the Varanasi Ring Road, airport, railway stations, Ramnagar Port and major cultural and educational landmarks.
The CCEA has also approved the 46.039-km NH-19-Varanasi Ring Road connector with riverbank connectivity along the Ganga at an estimated cost of Rs. 14,447.64 crore under the Hybrid Annuity Model. The six-lane elevated corridor will feature a 910-metre cable-stayed bridge across the Ganga, a 1.32-km extradosed foot over bridge-cum-major bridge with travelators, a rail over bridge, service roads, loops and ramps.
The Ganga corridor is expected to reduce travel time across the project influence area from about 60 minutes to 20 minutes and cut travel time between NH-19 and Kashi Railway Station from approximately 50 minutes to 25 minutes. It will also improve connectivity to key destinations including Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Banaras Hindu University, Namo Ghat, Ramnagar Fort, Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport and Ramnagar IWAI Port.
Both projects have been planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and are expected to enhance logistics efficiency, support tourism and pilgrimage, improve road safety, reduce congestion and strengthen connectivity to economic, social and logistics hubs across eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Published on:
16 July 2026
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