Cabinet likely to approve Rs 25,000 crore Ganga, Varuna corridors for Varanasi

The Union Cabinet is likely to approve the Ganga Elevated Corridor and Varuna Corridor projects in Varanasi with a combined investment of nearly Rs 25,000 crore.

The Ganga Elevated Corridor is a 46-km, six-lane highway linking NH-19 with the Varanasi Ring Road along the Ganga riverfront, designed to decongest the city and boost tourism.

The project is expected to increase average travel speed fivefold to around 100 kmph and reduce travel time by 67% from 60 to 20 minutes.

The Varuna Corridor is a 43.2-km elevated link connecting NH-31 with the Varanasi Ring Road along the Varuna river, with an estimated cost of around Rs 11,000 crore.

Varanasi receives nearly 15 crore tourists and pilgrims annually, making efficient urban mobility essential for managing traffic and pilgrimage-related travel demand.