Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the approval of a state-of-the-art six-lane corridor along the Ganga in Varanasi. This project aims to enhance connectivity to the city’s key religious, educational, and cultural sites while alleviating traffic congestion and boosting economic growth in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The corridor is part of the government’s commitment to developing top-notch infrastructure in Varanasi.
The newly sanctioned riverfront corridor is expected to streamline travel within the city by easing pressure on the current road network. PM Modi emphasized the significance of this infrastructure development in enhancing access to Varanasi’s major landmarks. Additionally, the project is anticipated to spur economic progress in Purvanchal, the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by PM Modi, greenlit the construction of a 46.039-km link and connector corridor between National Highway-19 and the Varanasi Ring Road with riverbank connectivity along the Ganga. This initiative, to be executed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), involves a total capital outlay of Rs 14,447.64 crore. It features a six-lane elevated main carriageway, an iconic cable-stayed bridge, and various other infrastructural components.
The corridor’s design, tailored for an operational speed of 80-100 kmph, is anticipated to significantly decongest Varanasi’s road network. By ensuring seamless connectivity between NH-19 and the Varanasi Ring Road, the project aims to slash average travel time in the area from 60 minutes to just 20 minutes. Furthermore, the travel duration between NH-19 and Kashi Railway Station is projected to reduce from nearly 50 minutes to about 25 minutes.
