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Bharatmala Expressway: 6-Hour Kolkata Commute
9 Dec, 2025
Summary
- New 686-km expressway will cut travel time to six hours.
- Project cost is ₹24275 crore and completion expected in three years.
- Expressway connects eastern UP to West Bengal, passing through four states.
A new 686-km, eight-lane Bharatmala Expressway is under construction, connecting Chandauli in eastern Uttar Pradesh to Kolkata in West Bengal. This ambitious project, with a total cost of ₹24275 crore, is anticipated to be operational in approximately three years. Once completed, it will drastically cut down the travel time between the two cities from the current 13-14 hours to a mere six hours.
The expressway will pass through four states: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Experts believe that, in conjunction with the Purvanchal Expressway, it will significantly foster development in eastern Uttar Pradesh by facilitating smoother trade and commerce. Over 90% of the required land has been acquired, and compensation has been provided to affected farmers and households, with bridge construction already in progress.
This vital infrastructure will not only connect Varanasi but also link Kolkata directly to the National Capital Region and Jammu and Kashmir through a network of existing expressways. It promises to integrate Rajasthan via the Chambal Expressway as well, further enhancing connectivity across northern and eastern India.
