How is the development of roadways in UP contributing towards an overall growth?

The state of Uttar Pradesh consists of a wide range of road networks. These road networks connect almost every part of the state with each other. There are about 35 national highways covering a length of about 40,635 km within the state. Recently many road projects have been undertaken under the regime of Akhilesh Yadav, the current Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. The development of the road networks facilitates the movement of people as well as goods. Even the remotest part of the state is now being connected through roads. With the development of roads, the economic growth and development are also taking place on an overall basis for Uttar Pradesh.

Agra-Lucknow Expressway – Advantages of Mega-Project

The Agra-Lucknow Expressway is currently under development and is expected to be operational by this October 2016. The Lko-Agra expressway is a state-owned project and covers a distance of about 302 km with an estimated expenditure amounting to Rs. 15,000 crores. In India, this will be the longest access-controlled expressway. There are 10 districts that would be intersecting this expressway i.e. Agra, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Kannauj, Kanpur, Unnao, Hardoi and Lucknow. Along the entire expressway agricultural ‘mandis’ will be developed so as to achieve an unhindered transportation of agricultural products, handicrafts etc. This region is also very fertile in terms of potato, food grains and fruits. It is one of the pet projects of Akhilesh Yadav, the CM of UP.

A 54 km four-lane road that links Bareilly to Baheri has been inaugurated by Akhilesh Yadav to ease the transportation for thousands of tourists and pilgrims who take a road trip to Kumaon hills. Before the construction of this road, this trip of 54 km used to take two and a half hours due to the bad road conditions. This was the first four-lane road developed on the PPP. This road consists of 9 mini bridges, 56 culverts, and 1 toll plaza. The four-lane road connecting Bahraich and Bhinga are all about to complete. Bahraich is located at a distance of about 68 km from Bhinga. The roads are well developed that has eased out the journey for all the travelers. The total cost required for its development has been estimated at Rs. 191.75 crores.

Recently the Chief Minister of UP has inaugurated a 4 lane road that connects Hamirpur to Kalpi. The existing two lane of Bhadohi- Kapsethi- Babatpur has been widened and strengthened as a four-lane state highway in the district Bhadohi and Varanasi. Foundation stones of 76 development projects have been laid by the Chief Minister of UP in the Bhadohi district. A public rally had also been addressed by him on this occasion. Also, the Moradabad-Bareilly section of NH-24 has been constructed and widened.

As the development of the roads continues, the participation of the private sector has gradually increased that would further help in the development projects. Due to the construction of these four-lane roads, all the district headquarters have been connected with each other. As the population continues to grow the state highways must be strengthened and widened so as to accommodate the increasing traffic load. With the help of PPP (Public Private Partnership) and adopting the international standards, the development of the transport facilities has been increased. For the large industrial areas eco-friendly Metros and mass rapid transport systems would be introduced that would be serving as a mode of public transport. For the purpose of lying four-lanes under the Public Private Partnership by UPSHA (Uttar Pradesh State Highways Authority), 10 district headquarters have been proposed.

The development of core road network is yet to be accomplished. In this core road network, all the national highways, state highways and regional roadways will be included. Altogether a total of 24,095 km would be covered. An amount of Rs. 310 crores have been set aside by the Chief Minister for this project. For the next financial year i.e. 2017 road projects worth over Rs. 1,00,000 crores have been projected. The two mega expressway projects i.e. the Lucknow-Ballia Expressway and Agra-Lucknow Expressway are on the ground. The Lucknow-Ballia Purvanchal Expressway is expected to begin in near future and has an estimated cost of Rs. 18,000 crores. An amount of Rs. 5000 crores have been urged by the state government as financial aid from the centre.

Hence, we find that Uttar Pradesh has developed a lot since the time Akhilesh Yadav has been declared as the Chief Minister. Under his regime, many more developments have taken place and it is believed that much more are yet to come. The strengthening and widening of the two-lane roadways to four-lane roadways have been very advantageous. All the recent constructions of highways will contribute to the entire state growth and development. And in the upcoming years, Uttar Pradesh will surely be one of the leading states in the country in terms of economic growth and development.


Written by Anisha Dutta
She is a content evangelist who believes that the Science of today is the Technology of tomorrow.