NHAI names Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway as NH319B

26 Jul 2023 CW Team

According to a recent announcement by a road construction department (RCD) official on Sunday, the forthcoming six-lane Greenfield expressway connecting Varanasi to Kolkata has been designated as NH319B by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

The NHAI issued an official notification, confirming the name NH319B for this 610-km long expressway, which will traverse four districts each in Bihar and Jharkhand before entering West Bengal through Purulia district.

The RCD engineer stated that once the expressway obtains its distinctive identity as NH319B, the process of land acquisition will be expedited.

Originating from Varanasi, the expressway will enter Bihar at Chand, passing through Chaudali in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and exit at Imamganj in Gaya, covering a distance of approximately 160 km.

A proposed five-kilometre tunnel is planned to be constructed in the Kaimur hills, crossing the Sone River in Tilauthu of Sasaram to enter Aurangabad, along the Grand Trunk road.

A senior officer of NHAI based in Patna mentioned that the cost of construction is expected to increase due to the NHAI's proposal for an almost straight alignment of the expressway.

The estimated cost of building this expressway is Rs 350 billlion, and it will enter Jharkhand from Hunterganj in Chatra, continuing through Hazaribag and Ramgarh before exiting to West Bengal's Purulia district.

To facilitate connectivity, the Jharkhand RCD will link the expressway with Ranchi's ring road. Upon completion, the expressway (NH319B) is predicted to significantly reduce travel time between Kolkata and Varanasi, effectively halving the current 12-14 hour journey for the 690 km distance.

Additionally, the expressway is expected to boost trade activities in Bihar, as it will be linked to the upcoming logistics park in Gaya. It will also offer Bihar easy access to the Kolkata port, facilitating the export of goods.

Real Estate

08 May 2026

Integrated Waterproofing Strategies

Waterproofing buildings used to be an annual pre-monsoon affair but the evolution of real-estate development has changed that approach. In new developments, developers are weaving waterproofing solutions into both the design and construction phases, an approach that Nikhil Madan, Managing Director, Mahima Group, says, “is all about ensuring lasting durability [of the building] and keeping lifecycle risks including water seepage and extensive maintenance to a minimum.”Watertight by designAluminium formwork systems aren’t commonly thought of as a waterproofing tool but at the Mahima Group,..

GROHE Showcases Water-Led Design At Milan

GROHE unveiled its GROHE SPA Aqua Sanctuary at Milan Design Week 2026, transforming Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato into an immersive showcase of water, design and wellbeing. Built on the philosophy of ‘Wellbeing Through Water’, the installation reimagined bathrooms as holistic spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care.The Aqua Sanctuary was presented through three interconnected sanctums. The first showcased the 3D-printed GROHE SPA AquaTree shower and faucet, highlighting bespoke innovation and biophilic design. The second featured the Atrio Private Collection and GROHE SPA x Buster..

Rahee Group Expands Rail Manufacturing Capacity

Rahee Group has outlined a multi-year investment roadmap to expand its operational footprint and strengthen manufacturing capabilities for India’s growing railway and urban transit sector. The Group is expanding in Odisha with a new Track Component Casting Unit, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 April 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.The Group’s flagship EPC arm, Rahee Infratech Ltd, continues to focus on complex rail infrastructure projects, including track systems, bridges, viaducts and ballastless infrastructure. Its wholly owned subsidi..