New Delhi, September 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The proposed Varuna Elevated Corridor in Varanasi is set to provide a high-capacity alternative route through the city, ease congestion on major urban roads and significantly reduce travel time between key transport hubs.
Approved by the Union Cabinet in July, the Rs 10,998-crore project will cover 43.218 km and feature six- and four-lane elevated sections designed for speeds of 80–100 kmph, according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the corridor will connect NH-31 with the Varanasi Ring Road. It is expected to reduce travel time between NH-31 and Kashi Railway Station from around 40 minutes to nearly 20 minutes.
The project is also expected to bring down travel time between Varanasi Junction and Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport from nearly one hour to around 20 minutes.
The corridor will include a main carriageway, flyovers, loops, ramps, service roads, an iconic cable-stayed bridge and an extradosed foot-over-bridge-cum-major bridge.
The project forms a key component of the Varanasi Decongestion Plan and is aimed at improving connectivity between major highways, railway stations, the airport and important destinations across the city.
The direct link to the Varanasi Ring Road will improve access to Varanasi Airport, Varanasi Cantonment, Varanasi City Railway Station, Kashi Railway Station and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction. It will also strengthen connectivity to Ramnagar Port and areas along the Varuna corridor.
The additional road capacity is expected to ease congestion at busy points including Varanasi Junction, Phulwaria and Chaukaghat, where local, commercial and through traffic currently converge.
The elevated alignment will provide a dedicated mobility spine for through and regional traffic, helping separate longer-distance movement from local traffic. This is expected to improve traffic flow, reduce vehicle operating costs and facilitate smoother passenger and freight movement.
Connectivity to major religious and tourism destinations, including the ghats, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and Kashi Vishwanath Temple, is also expected to improve, particularly during festivals and peak pilgrimage periods.
Aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the project will improve access to the Chandauli Socio-Economic Zone, Chandauli Social Node and six major logistics nodes. It is expected to facilitate movement of agricultural produce, industrial goods, construction materials and minerals across Varanasi, Chandauli and adjoining regions.
The project includes Rs 4,565.33 crore for civil construction and Rs 934.91 crore for land acquisition. It is expected to boost regional connectivity, economic activity and growth opportunities across eastern Uttar Pradesh.
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