Travel between Prayagraj-Kashi to be easier, courtesy NHAI

PRAYAGRAJ: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has completed the work for widening of 72.44 kilometers of national highways in the state and last of the five over-bridges on which work was on has now been opened for the people in Bhadohi, officials said.

“The six-laning of Handia (Prayagraj) to Rajatalab (Varanasi) is almost complete as we have completed 99.55% of the project and the last of the elevated structures, the one located at Bhadohi, was opened for commuters on Monday. Now travel from Prayagraj to Varanasi would be easier and take less time too,” said regional director, NHAI, Ashwani Rai.

Rai said that this project was prestigious as it connects two oldest and holiest cities, Prayagraj ,Varanasi. The work on the Rs 2447 crore project had commenced on December 5, 2017. “It is also a significant part of larger project between Delhi and Kolkata where the entire stretch is being widened. It traverses through Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Mirzapur and Varanasi,” he explained. “There is huge traffic volume on NH-2 (New NH-19) between Prayagraj and Varanasi due to which frequent traffic jams would happen mainly in areas such as Handia, Baruat, Bhiti, Jangiganj, Gopiganj, Aurai, Maharajganj, Kachhawa, Mirzamurad and Raja Talab among others. Now the problem has been resolved,” he said. Besides, 5 elevated structures, the work involved 12 pedestrian underpasses, 11 vehicular underpasses, 3 flyovers along with 3 minor bridges, 4 truck lay-byes, 36 bus lay-byes, two foot over bridges, and one toll plaza have also been constructed, said Rai.

THE WORK ON THE RS 2447 CRORE PROJECT HAD COMMENCED ON DECEMBER 5, 2017.