New Delhi, 05 August (H.S.):The 46.039-kilometre-long six-lane Greenfield Ganga Elevated Corridor, being constructed in Varanasi at an estimated cost of Rs 14,447.64 crore, will enable seamless high-speed connectivity between National Highway-19 (NH-19) and the Varanasi Ring Road. The corridor will also make access easier to major destinations such as the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Ganga ghats, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Ramnagar and Kashi Railway Station.

Vehicles will be able to travel on the corridor at speeds ranging between 80 and 100 kilometres per hour, reducing the average travel time within the city from nearly 60 minutes to around 20 minutes.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Wednesday highlighted the key features of the project, stating that the Union Cabinet had approved the corridor last month. The project aims to reduce increasing traffic congestion in Varanasi and Chandauli, facilitate smoother movement of pilgrims and connect the city with modern transportation infrastructure.

According to the ministry, the access-controlled six-lane elevated corridor will link NH-19, the Varanasi Ring Road (NH-135B), Ramnagar and BHU. The operational speed of vehicles on the corridor will be between 80 and 100 kilometres per hour. Once completed, the average travel time in the project area will reduce from approximately 60 minutes to 20 minutes, while the journey from NH-19 to Kashi Railway Station will be reduced from around 50 minutes to nearly 25 minutes.

The project includes the construction of a 910-metre-long cable-stayed bridge over the Ganga River. In addition, a 1.32-kilometre-long extradosed foot overbridge with travellator facilities will be developed, enabling safe and convenient pedestrian access to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. A railway overbridge will also be constructed above the existing and proposed Malviya Bridge.

To ensure smooth traffic movement, an elevated spur will be developed from BHU-Lanka to Samne Ghat, which will help reduce congestion at Lanka Crossing. The project also includes emergency parking bays, noise barriers, attractive facade lighting and architectural designs inspired by Varanasi’s cultural heritage.

The ministry stated that the corridor will strengthen multimodal connectivity in line with the Prime Minister Gati Shakti National Master Plan. It will establish better connectivity between NH-19, the Varanasi Ring Road, Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Kashi Railway Station and the Ramnagar Inland Waterway Terminal. This will improve the movement of both passengers and freight.

The ministry said that improved connectivity and reduced travel time will provide greater convenience to pilgrims and tourists visiting Varanasi. The project is also expected to boost tourism, hospitality, transportation, handicrafts, retail businesses and local employment opportunities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar