PM Modi to Launch Phase 2 of Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lay the foundation stone for the second phase of the Varanasi-Gaya-Ranchi-Kolkata Expressway (NH-319B) in Bihar on Thursday. This significant infrastructure project aims to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic development in eastern India. The expressway is expected to improve transportation links between key cities and regions, fostering trade and growth as part of a broader national infrastructure initiative.
Unpacked:
The expressway will cover approximately 610 kilometers and has an estimated project cost of Rs 28,500 to 35,000 crore, depending on the source and project phase.
The expressway will pass through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, connecting cities such as Varanasi, Gaya, Ranchi, and Kolkata. Key districts along the route include Chandauli, Sasaram, Aurangabad, Chatra, Hazaribagh, Ranchi, and Howrah.
Once completed, the expressway is expected to reduce travel time between Varanasi and Kolkata to 6–7 hours, effectively cutting the journey duration by half compared to the current routes.
The Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway is expected to be completed and operational by 2027, with several phases of construction already underway.