Will Uttar Pradesh’s Expanding Network Crown It as the Nation’s Expressway Capital?

Uttar

Pradesh is fast emerging as the 'expressway capital' of India, with an ambitious plan to create a seamless, high-speed road network linking every corner of the state to major cities, industrial hubs and national highways. Showcased prominently at the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show 2025, the initiative is an attempt by the state government to boost connectivity and attract investments. “We currently have 15 expressways in the pipeline -- four are operational, one will be ready by December, and 10 more are under planning,” Monica Kumar, Assistant General Manager of the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) told Times Now.

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According to Kumar, the project goes beyond transportation. “It’s not just a connectivity model but an investment model,” she explained. “We have also planned 27 integrated manufacturing and industrial corridors along these expressways to drive economic growth.”The access-controlled expressways -- designed for fast, safe travel -- aim to connect key cities with existing and emerging industrial corridors, cutting travel times and opening new trade opportunities. With this rapid expansion of high-speed corridors, Uttar Pradesh is positioning itself as a crucial gateway for trade and industry, setting the stage for a stronger economic future.

UP Cabinet Approves New Link Expressway Between Etawah and Hardoi

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Friday approved a proposal for the construction of a new link expressway to connect the Agra-Lucknow Expressway with the Ganga Expressway. In all, a total of 22 proposals were approved at the Cabinet meeting held at Lok Bhavan on Friday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Briefing reporters about the Cabinet decisions, state Finance Minister Suresh Khanna told reporters that to accelerate infrastructure development, the construction of a greenfield link expressway from the Agra-Lucknow Expressway to the Ganga Expressway has been approved. This 90-kilometre-long expressway will begin in Etawah and connect to the Ganga Expressway in Hardoi via Farrukhabad. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 7,488.74 crore. Construction is targeted to be completed in 548 days, and the construction agency will be responsible for maintenance for five years. This project will facilitate traffic flow and promote economic development, Khanna said. The Cabinet also approved the proposal to provide two free LPG gas cylinders to 18.6 million beneficiary families on the occasion of Holi and Diwali under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. This decision is an important step towards providing relief to poor women, the UP government said in a statement.