The long-awaited Bharatmala Expressway is set to redefine connectivity between Uttar Pradesh and eastern India. At present, the road journey from Chandauli to Kolkata takes nearly 13 to 14 hours, but once the expressway becomes operational, this duration will drop dramatically to just six hours.
The 686 km long and 100-meter-wide, eight-lane expressway is expected to significantly boost inter-state mobility by seamlessly connecting Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The project is estimated to cost around ₹24,275 crore.
Three More Years for Completion
Work on the expressway began last year under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. According to officials, construction on the Chandauli–Kolkata stretch will require another three years to complete. The main objective of this project is to provide direct high-speed connectivity between Varanasi (Kashi) and Kolkata, passing through the heart of Jharkhand’s capital, Ranchi.
Route and District Coverage
Starting from Chandauli, the expressway will traverse major regions including Bhabhua, Sasaram, Aurangabad, Bokaro, Ranchi, and Purulia, before reaching Kolkata.
- In Chandauli district, the expressway will cover approximately 22 km.
- In Bihar, the stretch will extend to 159 km.
This route is expected to open up new economic, tourism, and trade prospects for all four states.
Foundation Laid by PM Modi in February 2024
Although the Bharatmala project received approval in 2019, construction on the Chandauli–Kolkata corridor gained major momentum after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone in February 2024. Since then, the pace of development has accelerated across multiple segments.
Land Acquisition Almost Complete
In Chandauli alone, the expressway will pass through 31 villages. The construction of bridges and other structures has already begun. Earlier, land disputes and compensation issues caused temporary delays, but these matters have now been largely resolved.
According to SDM Anupam Mishra, around 90% of the required land has been handed over to the construction agency, enabling rapid progress on civil works.
Transformative Impact on Eastern India
Once completed, the Bharatmala Expressway is expected to:
- Reduce travel time drastically across states
- Boost industrial and logistic growth
- Improve trade movement between North and East India
- Provide safer, smoother, and faster mobility for passengers
- Enhance regional connectivity for remote districts
The project is being seen as a major infrastructure milestone that will strengthen economic integration across Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states.
