Lucknow To Varanasi In Just 3.5 Hours? New Expressway In The Works

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken another big step toward strengthening connectivity in eastern Uttar Pradesh. On August 27, 2025, NHAI floated tenders for consultancy services to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of a brand-new Ayodhya–Varanasi Expressway. This upcoming high-speed corridor will feature an interchange at the Purvanchal Expressway, linking the holy city of Varanasi to Ayodhya and Lucknow through a seamless expressway network.

The expressway is expected to cut down travel time significantly, enhancing both religious tourism and economic opportunities in the region. Once complete, the route could potentially reduce the Lucknow–Varanasi journey to just 3.5 hours, compared to the current 5.5 hours via the Purvanchal Expressway and connecting highways.

This development is particularly significant as both Ayodhya and Varanasi are two of the most visited religious destinations in India, attracting millions of devotees every year. The improved expressway link is set to create a spiritual corridor, strengthening the government’s vision of building modern infrastructure around key pilgrimage centers.

The Purvanchal Expressway, inaugurated in November 2021, already serves as a lifeline for eastern UP, connecting Lucknow to Ghazipur via districts like Ayodhya, Sultanpur, Azamgarh, and Mau. With the proposed Ayodhya–Varanasi Expressway interchange, Purvanchal will become the main artery from which multiple high-speed corridors branch out, ensuring faster travel and smoother logistics.

If completed as envisioned, the Ayodhya–Varanasi Expressway will not only enhance travel speed but also redefine the connectivity of the spiritual heartland of India. Imagine starting from Lucknow, paying respects at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, and reaching the ghats of Varanasi in under four hours—all on a single, world-class expressway.