One of Kolkata’s three primary gateway routes, the Kona Expressway has carried the twin cities of Howrah and Kolkata for more than two decades since opening in 2001. This 14.17-km, six-lane corridor now handles over 70,000-1 lakh vehicles daily, making it one of West Bengal’s busiest arterial routes — and it’s currently in the middle of a genuinely major upgrade that will transform it into an elevated superhighway.
Here’s the complete, current picture of this expressway’s route, toll structure, and the significant construction project reshaping it right now.
Kona Expressway Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Part of | NH 12 |
| Total length | 14.17 km |
| Lanes | 6-lane (4 major + 2 service lanes) |
| District | Howrah, entirely |
| Maintained by | PWD-NH Division (Government of West Bengal) and NHAI |
| Starting point | Kona, Howrah (near NH 16, at Nibra) |
| Ending point | Vidyasagar Setu (Second Hooghly Bridge), near Shibpur |
| Operational since | 2001 |
| Toll status | Tolled, grade-separated expressway |
| Daily traffic | Over 70,000-1 lakh vehicles |
Where the Expressway Begins and Ends
The Kona Expressway starts at Kona in Howrah district, near its junction with NH 16 (previously NH 6) at Nibra, and runs to Vidyasagar Setu — the Second Hooghly Bridge — near Shibpur, leading directly into Kolkata.
Key route facts:
- Total length: 14.17 km
- Entirely within Howrah district
- One of only three major routes for entering Kolkata from the suburbs
- Connects directly to Vidyasagar Setu, a toll bridge over the Hooghly River
The Route Through Howrah District
Leaving Kona, the expressway runs through Santragachi, Belepole, and the Carry Road junction before reaching Vidyasagar Setu near Shibpur.
Areas and landmarks along the route:
- Kona/Nibra — western starting point, near NH 16
- Santragachi — home to Santragachi Junction, the third-largest railway station in the Kolkata Metropolitan Region
- Andul, Ichapur, Jagacha — connecting suburban areas
- Belepole — significant exit interchange point
- Carry Road junction — provides access to Andul Road, running parallel to the expressway’s main line
- Shibpur — eastern terminus, adjacent to Vidyasagar Setu
Why This Expressway Matters for Kolkata-Howrah Connectivity
This corridor serves a genuinely critical function for daily commuters and long-distance travellers alike, given how much of the region’s traffic depends on it.
Key functions:
- One of three primary gateway routes into Kolkata from the suburbs
- Connects two major railway junctions: Santragachi and Shalimar, both near the Vidyasagar Setu toll centre
- Serves the Santragachi Bus Terminus, a significant inter-city and long-distance bus hub
- Carries numerous bus routes connecting Kolkata to suburbs and distant destinations, including routes 26, KB15, VS12, EB1A, K11, C11, E6, and E7
The Major Upgrade Currently Underway
This is genuinely important current information for anyone planning to use this route regularly, since the expressway is in the middle of a significant transformation.
Current construction project:
- NHAI has commissioned a 7.2-km, six-lane elevated corridor to address persistent traffic congestion
- Foundation stone laid by PM Narendra Modi on August 22, 2025
- Project cost: approximately ₹1,200 crore (some reports cite ₹720.6 crore for the specific super-highway contract)
- Contract awarded to Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)
- Expected completion: early to late 2026, depending on the specific source
What the upgrade includes:
- Construction of an elevated expressway corridor above the existing at-grade road
- The existing four-lane surface road will be relaid and integrated as a service road beneath the elevated structure
- New flyovers, underpasses, and improved drainage systems
- Plans to eventually expand overall capacity toward an 8-10 lane configuration when combining elevated and service lanes
Why the Upgrade Was Necessary
Understanding the traffic pressure this expressway faces explains why such a substantial infrastructure investment was deemed necessary for a relatively short 14-km stretch.
Traffic pressure driving the upgrade:
- Daily traffic volume exceeding 70,000-1 lakh vehicles, extremely high for a corridor of this length
- Persistent congestion given the expressway’s role as one of only three major Kolkata entry points
- Growing suburban development along the Howrah corridor increasing daily commuter volume
- The elevated corridor is specifically designed to separate through-traffic from local access, reducing bottlenecks
Connectivity to West Bengal’s Broader Highway Network
The Kona Expressway functions as a genuine hub connecting multiple significant routes within Greater Kolkata’s transport system.
Key connections:
- NH 16 (previously NH 6) — connects at the western Nibra end
- NH 12 — the Kona Expressway forms part of this designation
- Vidyasagar Setu — direct connection at the eastern end, providing the crossing into Kolkata proper
- Direct entry ramp from the NH 16 interchange, with exit ramps at Belepole and Shibpur interchanges
Real Estate and Regional Impact
Over more than two decades of operation, this expressway has significantly shaped development patterns across Howrah’s suburban corridor.
Development impact:
- Has brought Howrah’s suburbs meaningfully closer to Kolkata for over 20 years
- Continues to drive real estate demand and generate employment in localities along the route
- Areas like Santragachi, Andul, and Jagacha have seen sustained growth tied to the expressway’s connectivity
- The current elevated corridor upgrade is expected to further boost property values and commercial activity along the route once complete
FAQs
Q1. Is the Kona Expressway currently under construction, or fully operational?
It’s both — the existing four-lane expressway remains fully operational for daily traffic while a major 7.2-km elevated corridor upgrade proceeds alongside it. Expect some construction-related conditions until the project completes, expected sometime in 2026.
Q2. How does the Kona Expressway connect me to Kolkata city from Howrah?
The expressway runs directly to Vidyasagar Setu (Second Hooghly Bridge) near Shibpur, which leads straight into Kolkata. This makes it one of the three primary gateway routes for suburban Howrah traffic entering the city.
Q3. Why is this relatively short 14-km expressway getting such a large infrastructure investment?
Daily traffic exceeds 70,000-1 lakh vehicles, making it genuinely one of the busiest short corridors in West Bengal. The elevated expressway project, costing approximately ₹1,200 crore, is specifically designed to separate through-traffic from local access and address this persistent congestion.
Q4. Can I catch long-distance buses or trains near the Kona Expressway?
Yes — the expressway passes directly by Santragachi Junction (the third-largest railway station in the Kolkata Metropolitan Region) and Shalimar railway station, plus the Santragachi Bus Terminus, making it a genuinely convenient corridor for combining road travel with rail or long-distance bus connections.
