The Uttar Pradesh government has given the green light to a major infrastructure project: a new greenfield link expressway. This controlled-entry highway will connect the Agra-Lucknow Expressway with the Purvanchal Expressway. The project is budgeted at approximately Rs 4,776 crore.
The new expressway is designed to streamline regional travel, making it faster and more efficient for commuters. One of the key benefits will be a direct link from Ballia to Delhi, significantly reducing the travel distance between the two locations to about 900 kilometers.
The decision was made at a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The new route will be integrated into Uttar Pradesh’s growing expressway network, which already includes the Agra-Lucknow, Purvanchal, Ganga (under construction), Bundelkhand, and Gorakhpur Link Expressways. This integration will facilitate easier and quicker travel between major cities such as Lucknow, Agra, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Ghazipur.
In addition to improved connectivity, the project is expected to create new job opportunities. The six-lane expressway will span 49.96 km, with provisions for future expansion to eight lanes. The construction will be carried out under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model.
The overarching goal of this project is to connect all regions of the state, promoting efficient transportation, enhancing logistics, and fostering regional development.
The Agra-Lucknow Expressway, a key component of this network, links the capital Lucknow to Agra. Constructed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), it stretches 302.22 km and was inaugurated on November 21, 2016. It stands as one of India’s longest expressways.
The Purvanchal Expressway is also a key project, connecting eastern Uttar Pradesh to Lucknow and greatly improving travel in the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it on November 16, 2021.