Varanasi–Kolkata Expressway: Work underway in UP, Bihar & Jharkhand; DPR awaited in West Bengal

Kolkata: The construction of Varanasi–Kolkata Expressway has been awarded in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. However, in West Bengal, it is still in the preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the stretch in West Bengal, people in the know said.

Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari, during his reply in Parliament, to questions by Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya said, “The work of construction of Varanasi–Kolkata Expressway has been awarded in the State of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand except at certain locations. Further, the work of preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the stretch in West Bengal has been awarded.”

Gadkari has replied to a question by Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya, asking whether construction work on the Varanasi–Kolkata Expressway has commenced in UP, Bihar and Jharkhand while progress in West Bengal remains stalled.


Asked about the delay in West Bengal of the project over land acquisition by the state government despite the National Highways Authority of India ready with tenders and offering compensation above market rates, Gadkari said, “The subject alignment from Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata was approved by Government and consent of State Government of West Bengal was given on January 3 in 2023. The revised alignment considering the request of the State Government was approved in October, 2024. The Notification under Section 3(A) of National Highway (NH) Act, 1956 is completed in Purulia, Bankura & Hooghly districts out of six districts falling in the alignment.”

“The award of work and start of construction shall be based on the outcome of DPR, requirement of connectivity, inter-se priority and synergy with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan,” Gadkari said in the Parliament.

This Expressway is believed to act as a game-changer for connectivity and economic growth, linking Bengal directly with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and boosting trade, tourism and job opportunities.