Varanasi–Kolkata Expressway Work Stalls in West Bengal due to Revised Alignment

28 Aug 2025 CW Team

Construction of the 610-km Varanasi–Kolkata Expressway is progressing in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, but the project in West Bengal remains delayed as the State Government has revised the alignment.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari informed the Rajya Sabha that land acquisition notifications have been completed in Purulia, Bankura, and Hooghly districts. However, further work awaits the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the revised alignment, which was approved in October 2024 at the request of the State Government.

The Centre had earlier approved the Varanasi–Ranchi–Kolkata alignment with West Bengal’s consent in January 2023. Gadkari stated that the award of work and start of construction in the State would depend on the DPR, connectivity requirements, and synergy with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

Experts highlight that the Expressway will be a major driver of connectivity and economic growth by reducing travel time between Varanasi and Kolkata from 12–14 hours to just six. Estimated at Rs 35,000 crore, the six-lane greenfield corridor will also boost trade, tourism, and job opportunities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Expressway on 23 February 2024. Once completed, it will complement the historic Grand Trunk Road that links Varanasi with Kolkata.

News source: New Indian Express

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..