Forest Clearance Granted for Over 81 Hectares for Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway in Ramgarh

Ramgarh: Construction of the ambitious Varanasi-Kolkata Greenfield Expressway under the Bharatmala project is expected to gain momentum in Ramgarh following official approval from the Forest and Environment Department to undertake work on notified forest land under the Ramgarh Forest Division.

The project had been awaiting clearance for a total of 81.1902 hectares of notified forest land for a considerable period. With the department's approval now in place, a major hurdle in the construction process has been cleared, allowing the project agency to proceed with work in the area.

The high-speed expressway, which will connect Varanasi with Kolkata, enters Jharkhand through Chatra district. In Ramgarh, the project is being executed under Package 3, which covers a proposed stretch of 46.500 km.

Once completed, the expressway is expected to reduce travel distance between Varanasi, Jharkhand and Kolkata while improving freight movement, trade and local transportation.

Following the forest clearance, construction agencies are expected to step up activities in the Ramgarh division, including the deployment of heavy machinery. Local officials and project authorities are hopeful that the approval will accelerate infrastructure development in the region and create employment opportunities for local residents.