Varanasi/Gorakhpur, January 15, 2026 – In a major boost to infrastructure development in eastern Uttar Pradesh, the state government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are advancing plans for a dedicated 220-kilometer corridor linking Kushinagar to Varanasi. The project, with an estimated cost of ₹342 crore, will significantly improve regional connectivity, reduce travel times, and support economic growth in districts including Deoria, Ghazipur, and surrounding areas.

This corridor forms part of Uttar Pradesh’s broader push to expand its expressway and highway network, complementing major routes like the Purvanchal Expressway (already operational from Lucknow to Ghazipur) and ongoing Bharatmala projects such as the Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway.

Project Breakdown and Route Details

The proposed corridor will be constructed in multiple packages to ensure efficient execution:

-Kushinagar-Deoria section: 35 km

-Deoria-Ghazipur section: 22 km

-Deoria-Gajipur section: 83 km (likely referring to key segments via Gajipur)

-Ghazipur-Varanasi section (including Maa section): 80 km

These segments will connect key locations such as Deoria, Bhatpar Rani, Tanda, Maa, Surajpur-Shahjan, Ganjipur, Mura Badshahpur, and Jamania, creating a seamless link from the Nepal border-adjacent Kushinagar district to the spiritual and economic hub of Varanasi.

The initiative builds on existing infrastructure upgrades and aims to integrate with nearby national highways, facilitating smoother movement of goods, pilgrims, and tourists. Eastern UP districts like Kushinagar (home to the international airport and Buddhist heritage sites), Deoria, and Ghazipur will benefit from reduced congestion on current routes.

Here is a map overview highlighting the proposed Kushinagar-Varanasi corridor alignment through eastern Uttar Pradesh districts:

Another visual representation of the route, showing connections via Deoria, Ghazipur, and key towns leading to Varanasi:

Related Corridors Enhancing Regional Network

The Kushinagar-Varanasi corridor aligns with several parallel and intersecting projects in Uttar Pradesh:

Pilibhit-Hardoi-Shahjahanpur Corridor (also known as Pilibhit-Hardoi-Shahjahanpur corridor): This stretch totals approximately 514 km, including segments like Pilibhit-Puranpur (32 km), Puranpur-Shahjahanpur (81 km), and Shahjahanpur-Muzaffarnagar (56 km). It focuses on upgrading existing alignments and greenfield development for better north-central connectivity.

Bareilly-Lalitpur Corridor: Covering around 295 km (with packages like Bareilly-Kasganj-Aonla at 37 km), this corridor connects central UP regions and links to major expressways such as the Purvanchal and upcoming Ganga Expressway.

These developments are part of Uttar Pradesh’s ambitious plan to create a grid of expressways and high-speed corridors, including the operational Purvanchal Expressway (Lucknow-Ghazipur), the under-construction Ganga Expressway, and links to international borders.

This conceptual image depicts the modern design features planned for new highway corridors in eastern UP, including elevated sections and interchanges:

Economic and Social Benefits

Once completed, the 220-km corridor is expected to slash travel time between Kushinagar and Varanasi from several hours to under 4 hours, depending on final design speeds. It will enhance access to Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Kushinagar, boost agricultural logistics in Deoria and Ghazipur, and stimulate industrial and tourism growth.

Officials have indicated that land acquisition and detailed project reports (DPRs) for initial packages are progressing, with construction targeted to accelerate in the coming months. The project reflects the state’s focus on equitable development in Purvanchal (eastern UP), aligning with national goals under Bharatmala Pariyojana.

As Uttar Pradesh continues to emerge as “Expressway Pradesh” with over 15 major expressways either operational, under construction, or in planning, initiatives like the Kushinagar-Varanasi corridor promise faster, safer, and more prosperous journeys for millions in the region.