The Uttar Pradesh government has given the go-ahead for a significant infrastructure development: a new greenfield link expressway connecting the Agra-Lucknow and Purvanchal Expressways. The project, estimated to cost around Rs 4,776 crore, aims to enhance regional connectivity and reduce travel times for commuters.
The expressway will facilitate a direct connection between Ballia and Delhi, reducing the total travel distance between the two cities to approximately 900 kilometers. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The new route will be integrated into Uttar Pradesh’s developing expressway network, which encompasses the Agra-Lucknow, Purvanchal, Ganga (under construction), Bundelkhand, and Gorakhpur Link Expressways. This integrated network will make travel easier and faster between major cities such as Lucknow, Agra, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Ghazipur.
The project is also expected to create employment opportunities. The expressway will be 49.96 km long and will initially have six lanes, with the possibility of future expansion to eight lanes. Construction will be carried out under the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) model.
The primary objective of this network is to provide better connectivity across the state, enhance transportation efficiency, and promote regional development.
The Agra-Lucknow Expressway is a key component of this network, connecting the capital Lucknow to the historical city of Agra. It is 302.22 km long and was built by the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA). The expressway was inaugurated on November 21, 2016, and is one of the longest expressways in India.
The Purvanchal Expressway, inaugurated on November 16, 2021, connects the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh to Lucknow. It has significantly improved travel in eastern UP and surrounding areas.