During a significant event in Lucknow, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari unveiled a comprehensive plan to modernize the infrastructure of Uttar Pradesh. In the presence of Chief Minister Yogi आदित्यनाथ and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari reiterated his commitment to elevating the state's transport connectivity to international standards. The event served as a platform to detail the substantial financial allocations and new strategic projects aimed at strengthening the road network across the state.
A Mega Project Worth 1.23 Lakh Crore
The most significant announcement made by Nitin Gadkari involves the construction of 45 new green field expressways across Uttar Pradesh. This massive infrastructure initiative will be executed at a total cost of 1.23 lakh crore rupees. Once completed, these corridors are expected to drastically reduce travel time while providing a substantial boost to industrial development. Additionally, a new expressway connecting Shahjahanpur to Sitarganj via Hardoi, Bareilly, and Pilibhit has been officially sanctioned.
Current Progress on Ongoing Projects
The minister emphasized that the administration is not just focused on new announcements but is also accelerating work on previously initiated projects. Construction on key routes such as Varanasi to Kolkata, Agra to Aligarh, Aligarh to Mathura, and Varanasi to Kolkata has already reached a 45% completion milestone. Furthermore, prioritizing development in the Purvanchal region, a new road project from Padrauna to Tamkuhiraj has been approved, while work on the road connecting Ghazipur to Ballia is progressing at a rapid pace.
Focus on Gorakhpur and Religious Tourism
Significant updates were also provided for the Gorakhpur region. The development of the Gorakhpur-Shamli Expressway is set to begin shortly, and the foundation stone ceremony for the Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway is scheduled for this year. Infrastructure projects connecting Sonauli to Gorakhpur, Mathura to Hathras, and Moradabad to Thakurdwara are in their final stages of completion. To promote religious tourism, the Buddhist Circuit project has been fully finished. Furthermore, routes dedicated to faith, such as the Ram Van Gaman Marg and Ram Janaki Marg, will soon be completed to provide improved access for pilgrims.
Gift of Ring Roads to Six Cities
Addressing the pressing issue of urban traffic congestion, Nitin Gadkari highlighted his vision for ring roads. He announced that 4-lane ring roads in 6 major cities are scheduled for completion within this year. The list of cities receiving these upgrades includes Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, and Chitrakoot, all of which will see their 4-lane ring road projects finished by the end of 2026.
