- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Sat, 16 May 2026 04:38 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bihar will gain another significant boost in infrastructure development with the soon-to-be-completed 610km Greenfield Expressway, linking Varanasi to Kolkata and projected to give the state an incredible push in infrastructure and connectivity. It will enhance direct connectivity with as many as 9 districts in Bihar while increasing connectivity with UP, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
This high-speed corridor is set to revolutionise mobility in South Bihar as it will offer faster and smoother connections to the big cities such as Kolkata and Varanasi. Nine districts, which include Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad and Gaya, are set to benefit the most from the increase in connectivity.
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The Expressway has also been declared as the new engine for the economic development of Bihar. Built at an approximate cost of 35,000 crore, it is expected to serve as a critical economic corridor and boost the sectors of logistics, warehousing, transport, hospitality and others. This project will also bring forth opportunities to attract more investment in South Bihar and boost employment prospects, with cities such as Gaya and Aurangabad emerging as probable logistics hubs.
At present, the travel from Varanasi to Kolkata consumes around 12-14 hours. Once the expressway opens to the public, it is expected to cut the travel time down by half to about 6 hours, which would provide relief to the traders, transporters and passengers and reduce freight costs across the states.
The expressway will begin at Barhauli village near the Varanasi Ring Road, pass through Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad and Gaya districts of Bihar and then enter Jharkhand. From Jharkhand, it would enter the key districts of Chatra, Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Bokaro and Peterbar, and from there enter the state of West Bengal, crossing through the key districts such as Purulia, Bankura, Hooghly and Howrah, finally ending at Kolkata.
The work on a few stretches in Jharkhand and West Bengal was reportedly delayed due to the environment clearance issues, but now that they have been provided with the necessary approvals, the construction is expected to move at a much faster pace. A detailed plan has also been made to cause the least possible damage to the forest and wildlife of the regions, including the habitat of elephants and tigers.
It is estimated that by March 2028, the expressway will be fully operational. Once this high-speed corridor becomes fully functional, it will connect Bihar with high-speed road connectivity similar to the national corridors, such as the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and create ample opportunity for its economic growth.