Union Cabinet approves ₹14,447.64 crore Varanasi Ganga Elevated Corridor project to boost Spiritual Tourism

Varanasi, one of the world's oldest living cities and the spiritual capital of India, welcomes over 15 crore tourists and pilgrims every year. The Cabinet has approved the development of a 46.039 km six-lane Greenfield Ganga Elevated Corridor, along with ramps, loops and an extradosed Foot Over Bridge, between NH-19 and the Varanasi Ring Road (NH-135B) in Uttar Pradesh, at a total capital cost of ₹14,447.64 crore.

Project Overview
- Length: 46.039 km, six-lane Greenfield elevated corridor.
- Cost: ₹14,447.64 crore.
- Connectivity: Links NH-19, Varanasi Ring Road (NH-135B), Ramnagar, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), and other key destinations.
- Design Speed: 80–100 km/h.

Benefits for Pilgrims & Residents
- Travel time across the influence area cut from ~60 minutes to ~20 minutes (67% reduction).
- NH-19 to Kashi Railway Station travel time reduced from ~50 minutes to ~25 minutes.
- Elevated spur between BHU/Lanka and Samne Ghat to ease congestion at Lanka Junction.
- Easier access to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Ghats, Namo Ghat, BHU, Ramnagar Fort, and Kashi Railway Station.

Landmark Engineering Features
- 910-metre cable-stayed bridge across the Ganga.
- 1.32 km extradosed Foot Over Bridge-cum-Major Bridge with travelators for pedestrian access to Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
- Rail Over Bridge over Malviya Bridge.
- Emergency parking bays, noise barriers, façade lighting, and heritage-inspired architecture.

Economic Impact
- Supports livelihoods of priests, boatmen, artisans, guides, vendors, hotels, and transport operators.
- Encourages longer visitor stays and deeper exploration of cultural and commercial offerings.
- Boosts logistics efficiency and regional economic growth.

Multimodal Connectivity
- Aligned with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
- Integrates highways, railways, airports, and inland waterways.
- Connects Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Kashi Railway Station, and Ramnagar IWAI terminal.
- Enhances passenger and freight movement across eastern Uttar Pradesh.

This corridor is designed not just as a transport solution but as a cultural and economic catalyst, balancing modern infrastructure with Varanasi’s 3,000-year-old heritage.