There has been a transport revolution in UP in the Yogi government. The number of expressways increased from 3 to 22, the number of airports increased by 16 and the air passengers increased by 82 lakhs. The airport is targeted in every division by 2047.
Uttar pradesh development: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is witnessing unprecedented changes in the field of transport and connectivity, moving towards the vision of ‘developed UP @2047’. In the last eight and a half years, the speed with which progress in the road, expressway and aviation sector has not only increased the speed of the state but has also made it a new center of investment and development at the national and international level. Before the year 2017, the speed of road and aviation infrastructure development in Uttar Pradesh was very slow. Road length under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana increased from 51,549 km in 2013-14 to only 56,846 km in 2016-17. Aerial connectivity was also limited and in 17 years (from 1999 to 2016), the number of aircraft passengers increased by only 55 lakhs. At that time only three expressways and a few airports were operated in the state.
Big change in eight and a half years: new flight from ground to sky
The government of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took concrete steps with a coordinated approach in road, air and water transport after 2017. Road length under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana reached 77,425 km by 2024-25. At the same time, in the expressway network, Uttar Pradesh is engaged in the campaign of laying 22 expressway nets in the forefront of the country. UP also jumped into the aviation sector and 12 domestic and 4 international airports were operated. Uttar Pradesh is now known as ‘Expressway State’. While there was no expressway in 1949-50, by 2016-17 this number could reach only 3. But by 2025–26 it has increased to 22, including both operated and under construction. Projects like Purvanchal Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway, Yamuna Expressway, Agra-Lucknow Expressway and Gorakhpur Link Expressway are not only increasing internal connectivity, but are strengthening UP’s position as logistic hub.
Major under construction expressway
Many new projects have started in Uttar Pradesh to make the expressway network more comprehensive. These include Ganga Expressway as well as Chitrakoot Link Expressway, Lucknow Link Expressway, Farrukhabad Link Expressway, Jewar Link Expressway, Jhansi Link Expressway, Vindhya Expressway, Vindhya-Puvanchal Link Expressway, Meerut-Haridwar Link Expressway (via Muzaffarnagar) and Chitrakoot-Rewa Link Expressway. After the completion of these projects, the road network of the state will not only be stronger but will also improve connectivity to neighboring states.
Expansion of national highway network
In 2004-05, the National Highway Network of Uttar Pradesh was 5,599 km, which increased to 12,292 km by 2023-24. More increase than this double has given new pace to trade, freight and industrial development within the state. This has not only reduced the logistics cost, but has become a strategic transit hub in UP North India. In 1950, where there was not a single airport in the state, by 2025, they have done 16 (including five under construction). This includes 12 domestic and 4 international airports. In particular, Jewar International Airport will be among the largest airports in Asia and will give a new identity to Uttar Pradesh as cargo and transit hub.
Historical increase in the number of aircraft passengers
In the first 17 years before 2017, the number of air passengers increased by 55 lakhs, while in the last eight years this increase reached 82 lakhs. The number of aircraft passengers in 2025 is estimated to up to 1.42 crores. This speed has given UP a new flight in the aviation sector. After a revolutionary change in the connectivity of the east to the west in the state, the Yogi government is now working towards creating a huge network of north-south connectivity by 2030. There are plans to connect all district headquarters to expressways, develop multipurpose transit hubs along the Nepal border and world -class ropeway at major tourist destinations.
Vision 2047: A Division-Ek Airport
The main vision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is that by 2047, every mandal in Uttar Pradesh should have its own world class airport. A target has been set to connect all 75 districts with expressway and air connectivity. Also, there is a plan to establish Uttar Pradesh as a global connectivity center from Green Smart Highway, Air Cargo Hub, Heliport and modern aviation ecosystem.