Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has rapidly emerged as an expressway state. The construction of 3052 km expressway by 2026, from 93 km network in 2014, has given a big boost to connectivity, industry, investment and employment.
Lucknow. Infrastructure development in Uttar Pradesh has touched new heights under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Uttar Pradesh, which was once in the news for slow development and backwardness, has now become recognized as the “Expressway State” in the country.
In the year 2014, only 93 kilometers of controlled expressway network existed in the state, but by the year 2026, it has increased to 3052 kilometers. This increase of about 3182 percent is not limited only to road construction, but is also telling a new story of economic and industrial progress of the state.
UP Expressway Network: Changed connectivity from Purvanchal to Ganga Expressway
In Uttar Pradesh, big projects like Purvanchal Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway, Agra-Lucknow Expressway and the under-construction Ganga Expressway have strengthened the connectivity of the state. Due to these expressway projects, long distance travel has now become much easier and faster than before. The journey from Ghazipur to Delhi, which earlier took 15 to 20 hours, can now be completed in about 10 hours.
After the commencement of the Ganga Expressway being built from Meerut to Prayagraj, the travel time will be reduced to almost half. This is also expected to boost trade, transport and tourism activities.
Expressway Industrial Development: Expansion of industries along with roads
Yogi government did not limit the expressway construction to only road projects, but has created a comprehensive model of industrial development with it. The government is developing industrial parks and industrial clusters along the expressways under the Triple S model based on safety, sustainability and speed. Its objective is to promote investment and create new employment opportunities.
Bundelkhand Expressway becomes the strength of Defense Industrial Corridor
Bundelkhand Expressway has today become a major link of the Defense Industrial Corridor of Uttar Pradesh. The establishment of defense production units in areas like Jhansi and Chitrakoot has increased employment and investment opportunities at the local level. This has strengthened the industrial activities in the Bundelkhand region and given a new direction to the regional economic development.
ODOP Scheme got the benefit of expressway network
The One District One Product (ODOP) scheme of the state government has also got a big benefit from the expressway network. Kannauj’s perfume, Kanpur’s leather industry and Purvanchal’s handicraft products are now able to reach the markets of the country and abroad through better transportation system. This has also strengthened local business and export activities.
Rural Connectivity: Development reached villages and towns
Important achievements of the Yogi government also include that the benefits of the expressway were not limited to big cities only. Small cities, towns and villages have also been connected to these projects through link roads and rural roads. This is facilitating farmers to deliver their agricultural and dairy products to the market in less time. Due to better transportation system, the possibility of increasing the income of farmers has also strengthened.
Uttar Pradesh Economy: GSDP can reach Rs 39.8 lakh crore
The economy of Uttar Pradesh is also growing at a fast pace. It is estimated that by the year 2026-27, the gross domestic product (GSDP) of the state can reach around Rs 39.8 lakh crore. Apart from this, potential investment proposals of more than Rs 50 lakh crore are laying a strong foundation towards including Uttar Pradesh among the largest economies of the country. The expressway network developing in the state is being considered a major medium for industrial development, employment generation and economic progress.