Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway has been opened to the public from Tuesday following its inauguration on Monday by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. The expressway is expected to reduce travel time between Lucknow and Kanpur to about 45 minutes.
The long-awaited Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway was inaugurated on Monday by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also present at the ceremony. Vehicular movement on the expressway commenced on Tuesday, making travel between Lucknow and Kanpur faster, safer and more convenient than before.
Built at an estimated cost of around ₹4,200 crore, the expressway is expected to reduce the travel time between Lucknow and Kanpur to approximately 45 minutes. The journey between Unnao and Lucknow is also expected to take about 22 minutes. The project is expected to benefit daily commuters, traders and industries.
During the inauguration programme, National Highway projects worth around ₹4,850 crore were inaugurated and foundation stones were laid. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari provided details of the widening of the Hardoi-Lucknow National Highway, a flyover at Engineering College Chauraha and other road projects.
He said that eight Green Expressways would be constructed in Uttar Pradesh at an estimated cost of about ₹1.23 lakh crore. He also stated that road and transport projects worth around ₹5 lakh crore would be undertaken in the state over the next two years to strengthen connectivity.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said an elevated road would be constructed on Shaheed Path in Lucknow, with a plan to operate a Metro line above it. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said a world-class multi-layer corridor of about 23 kilometres would be developed, integrating a flyover, Metro and Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS).
The government has also planned to expand the Lucknow-Sitapur route to six lanes and construct service roads along Kisan Path to improve the city's traffic system.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said an improved road network would increase investment in Uttar Pradesh and facilitate the establishment of new industries. He said this would create more employment opportunities and strengthen the state's economy. He added that the government's objective is to connect every district with a four-lane road and construct bypasses in major cities.
A flyover to be built at Engineering College Chauraha at a cost of ₹109 crore is also expected to reduce traffic congestion in key parts of the city. The government said these projects are expected to improve transportation and economic activity across the state.
