Prime Minister Modi to Launch Second Phase of Varanasi-Gaya-Ranchi-Kolkata Expressway

Foundation Stone Laying for Major Infrastructure Project
Patna, May 29: In a significant step towards enhancing infrastructure and connectivity in eastern India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lay the foundation stone for the second phase of the Varanasi-Gaya-Ranchi-Kolkata Expressway (NH-319B) this Thursday during his visit to Bihar.
This expressway is a key component of the Bharatmala Project, a vast initiative aimed at revolutionizing road travel and stimulating economic growth across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
Spanning 690 kilometers and featuring a width of 36 meters, this will be Bihar's inaugural six-lane greenfield expressway.
The route will commence from Barhauli near the Varanasi Ring Road in Uttar Pradesh, passing through Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, and Gaya in Bihar before entering Jharkhand and ultimately reaching Kolkata.
This expressway is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Varanasi and Kolkata from 12–14 hours to merely 6–7 hours.
The total projected cost for this project is estimated at Rs 35,000 crore, with approximately Rs 5,994 crore allocated specifically for Bihar and Rs 1,200 crore designated for Gaya district.
In Gaya, the expressway will navigate through densely forested areas and historically Naxal-affected regions of Imamganj and Dumaria, impacting 29 revenue villages (mauzas) over a stretch of 33.5 kilometers.
The route will include areas such as Anwar Salaiya, Barha, Chhakarbandha, Tarchua, and Dhakpahari, which were previously challenging to access due to insurgency.
A construction firm from Rajasthan has initiated the establishment of a work center in the Chhakarbandha forest and a project office in Baseta to manage the operations.
Local resident Rahul Manjhi remarked, "Just a decade ago, many were reluctant to visit Chhakarbandha due to Naxalite influence. Now, the expressway stands as a testament to development reclaiming these areas," while expressing disappointment over the absence of an interchange point at Chhakarbandha.
Deepa Manjhi, the MLA from Imamganj, praised the project as transformative for traffic flow and economic advancement. She stated, “The expressway will enhance inter-city connectivity, alleviate traffic congestion, and promote freight movement. This will lead to industrial growth, job creation, and economic prosperity.”