New Delhi, July 15: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today approved two major elevated corridor projects worth over ₹25,445 crore to ease traffic congestion, improve connectivity and strengthen multimodal transport infrastructure in Varanasi of Uttar Pradesh.

The projects include a 43.218-km Varuna River Elevated Corridor connecting NH-31 and the Varanasi Ring Road, and a 46.039-km Ganga River Elevated Corridor linking NH-19 with the Varanasi Ring Road.

Both projects will be executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM).

The two corridors are expected to significantly reduce travel time, improve access to key transport hubs and religious sites, and support economic growth in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

 The Varuna Elevated Corridor, approved at a total capital cost of ₹10,998.32 crore, will comprise a predominantly six/four-lane elevated carriageway along the Varuna riverbank with flyovers, ramps, loops and service roads.

 The project is expected to reduce travel time between NH-31 and Kashi Railway Station from around 40 minutes to 20 minutes, while providing seamless connectivity to the Varanasi Ring Road, Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Kashi Railway Station, Varanasi Junction, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Ramnagar Port, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, the ghats of Varanasi and the adjoining Chandauli region.

The Ganga Elevated Corridor has been approved at a total capital cost of ₹14,447.64 crore.

 The six-lane elevated corridor will feature an iconic 910-metre cable-stayed bridge across the River Ganga, a 1.32-km extradosed Foot Over Bridge-cum-Major Bridge equipped with travelators, loops, ramps, link roads and service roads.

 Designed for speeds of 80-100 kmph, the corridor is expected to reduce average travel time across its influence area from 60 minutes to 20 minutes, while cutting travel time between NH-19 and Kashi Railway Station from about 50 minutes to 25 minutes.

 The project will improve connectivity to major religious, cultural and educational landmarks, including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Namo Ghat, Ramnagar Fort and the Ghats of Varanasi.

 It will also strengthen access to major transport hubs such as Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Kashi Railway Station, Banaras Railway Station, Varanasi City Railway Station, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction and Ramnagar IWAI Port.