Varanasi: Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor inaugurated as expressway and airport news unfold
Varanasi was at the centre of significant news on October 7, 2026: the inauguration of the Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Aki Abe, the start of a major expressway project, and weather-related flight diversions affecting the city.
Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor inaugurated in Varanasi by CM Yogi and Aki Abe
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath joined Aki Abe to inaugurate the Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor in Varanasi on October 7, 2026, as reported by ANI. The event was designed to highlight the enduring ties between India and Japan. Aki Abe, the wife of the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was present at the ceremony in Varanasi. The corridor is named in honour of Shinzo Abe, reflecting his legacy in strengthening India-Japan relations. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath represented the Indian side at the official inauguration. ANI reported the event on October 7, 2026, with an update timestamped at 18:19 IST. The ceremony in Varanasi was described as a moment that highlights the friendship between India and Japan. The memorial corridor stands as a lasting tribute to Shinzo Abe's contributions to bilateral ties between the two nations. The inauguration marks Varanasi as the site of this symbolic monument to India-Japan friendship. [2]
Varanasi–Kolkata expressway construction kicks off in Jharkhand
Construction has begun on a section of the multi-state 6-lane Varanasi–Kolkata via Hazaribagh Expressway, a major infrastructure project connecting Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The Hazaribagh stretch of the expressway covers approximately 48 kilometres across five blocks — Sadar, Churchu, Katkamdag, Barkagaon, and Dadi — and 26 villages in Jharkhand. The district administration completed land acquisition for this stretch after disbursing compensation of approximately ₹59 crore to affected communities. A Project Unit officer confirmed that construction is progressing under the Hazaribagh Project Implementation Unit. Expressway Project Director Manoj Kumar Pandey stated that land acquisition in Hazaribagh is complete and that construction is currently under way in Katkamdag. Efforts are being made to advance the project across the full stretch. The 6-lane expressway, once completed, will serve as a major connectivity corridor linking Varanasi to Kolkata through several Indian states. This project represents a significant step in improving long-distance transport infrastructure across eastern India. The expressway connects Varanasi, the sacred city in Uttar Pradesh, to Kolkata via the Hazaribagh corridor in Jharkhand. [7]
Three Varanasi-bound flights diverted to Lucknow amid bad weather
Three Varanasi-bound flights were diverted to Lucknow on Monday due to adverse weather conditions at Varanasi airport, with all three subsequently resuming their journey to their destination. The diversions affected two IndiGo flights and one Air India Express aircraft, as confirmed by airport officials speaking to PTI. IndiGo flight 6E6596, operating from Bengaluru to Varanasi, landed at Lucknow at 18:20 hours and departed for Varanasi at 19:47 hours. Another IndiGo flight, 6E501, was diverted to Lucknow and landed at 18:42 hours before departing for Varanasi at 20:06 hours. Air India Express flight IX1540, also operating from Bengaluru to Varanasi, landed at Lucknow at 18:27 hours and departed for Varanasi at 19:21 hours. Airport officials confirmed that all three flights were diverted solely due to adverse weather conditions at Varanasi. The airport also clarified a separate report: a flydubai flight from Dubai to Nepal's Pokhara that was initially reported as diverted on Monday was actually diverted on Saturday, October 3. Flydubai flight FZ 1165 had been directed to Lucknow due to adverse weather conditions on that earlier date. [8]
Sources: [2] ANI News · [7] Jharkhand State News · [8] Deccan Herald