PM Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the 2nd phase of the Varanasi-Kolkata e-way to boost transportation.
Patna, May 29, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lay the foundation stone for the second phase of the Varanasi-Gaya-Kolkata Greenfield Expressway (NH-319B) during his visit to Bihar on Thursday.
The high-speed corridor, to be developed under the Bharatmala project, marks a significant boost to connectivity and infrastructure in the region, and will be the first six-lane expressway to pass through Bihar.
Varanasi-Gaya-Kolkata Expressway is a dream project of Narendra Modi:
The expressway will connect Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to Kolkata in West Bengal and Jharkhand, covering a total distance of approximately 690 kilometers. It is a dream project of Narendra Modi to boost the ceremony in the Naxal-affected regions of Bihar and Jharkhand.
Once completed, travel time will be reduced from 12-14 hours to 6-7 hours.
A new era for Naxal-Affected areas of Bihar and Jharkhand:
The expressway route cuts through remote and formerly Naxal-affected forested regions of Gaya, including Anwar Salaiya, Barha, Chhakarbandha, Tarchua and Dhakpahari in Dumaria block, as well as Baseta, Jamuna and Bansi in Imamganj block.
For decades, these areas were inaccessible due to insurgency and lack of infrastructure. Now, they are poised for transformation.
“Ten years ago, even common people were afraid to visit Chhakarbandha due to Naxal activity. Today, with improved security and development, an expressway will run through it,” said local resident Sunil Kumar, expressing hope for economic revival.
The expressway will span 33.5 km across 29 revenue villages (Mauzas) in Imamganj and Dumaria blocks.
A Rajashthan-based construction company is managing the Gaya portion, with a work center in Chhakarbandha forest and a project office in Baseta.
The 36-meter-wide road will require 60 to 70 meters of land acquisition, depending on whether the land is forested or privately owned.
Route across Bihar:
After entering Bihar from Uttar Pradesh near Barhauli village, the expressway will traverse Kaimur (51.4 KM), Rohtas (5.5 km), Gaya (35.5 km) and Aurangabad (39.3 km).
The Bihar segment is divided into seven packages, with five already allotted to contractors.
The total investment in Bihar stands at approximately Rs. 5,994 crore with Rs. 1,200 crore allocated to Gaya district alone. The overall expressway project is valued at Rs. 35, 000 crore.
Imamganj MLA Deepa Manjhi praised the project as a transformative step.
“The expressway will drastically reduce travel time and decongest surrounding roads. It will also boost freight transport, promote industrial growth, and create local employment. Improved connectivity is the foundation of economic progress,” she said.
The expressway will include a rest area at Bansi with amenities like hotels, repair shops, medical facilities, and control rooms, further enhancing infrastructure along the route.
EOM.