The Ministry of Environment's expert appraisal committee has approved environmental clearance for a 235-km greenfield expressway connecting Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Kolkata in West Bengal. This project, part of the National Highways Authority of India, is estimated to cost ₹9,250 crore (approximately $1.1 billion USD) and will traverse through several districts including Purulia, Bankura, Pashchim Mednipur, Hoogli, and Howrah. The construction will necessitate the diversion of more than 103 hectares of reserved forest land and the removal of 50,000 trees. The area is significant for wildlife, hosting 17 Schedule-I species, including the Indian elephant and leopard. To mitigate the impact on wildlife, the NHAI plans to construct 20 elephant-cum-wildlife underpasses to facilitate safe animal crossings. The expert committee emphasized that these structures must comply with specific recommendations regarding their dimensions to ensure effective wildlife movement.