Lucknow-Agra Expressway: A Boon for Uttar Pradesh’s Infrastructure

The Lucknow-Agra Expressway is one of the most significant infrastructure projects undertaken by the Uttar Pradesh government. The 302-kilometer-long expressway connects two of the state’s major cities and has become a symbol of the government’s commitment to modernizing the state’s infrastructure. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Lucknow-Agra Expressway, its significance, and the impact it has had on the state’s economy.

Introduction

The Lucknow-Agra Expressway was inaugurated in November 2016 by the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav. The six-lane expressway connects the state capital, Lucknow, to the city of Agra, famous for the Taj Mahal. It passes through several districts, including Hardoi, Kannauj, Unnao, Kanpur, and Etawah, and has become an important part of the state’s transportation network.

Significance of the Lucknow-Agra Expressway

The construction of the Lucknow-Agra Expressway has been a significant achievement for the Uttar Pradesh government. The expressway has not only made travel between Lucknow and Agra faster and more comfortable but has also given a significant boost to the state’s economy. The expressway has opened up new areas for development and has led to the growth of industries and businesses along its route.

The expressway has also made it easier for farmers to transport their goods to the market. The time taken to transport agricultural produce from one place to another has been reduced, and farmers can now get better prices for their crops. The expressway has also led to the development of new markets along its route, which has given farmers more options to sell their produce.

The Lucknow-Agra Expressway has also been significant in terms of providing connectivity to rural areas. The expressway has connected several small towns and villages, making it easier for people to access basic services such as healthcare and education.

Impact on the State’s Economy

The Lucknow-Agra Expressway has had a significant impact on the state’s economy. The expressway has led to the development of new industries and businesses along its route, which has created new job opportunities for the people of Uttar Pradesh. The expressway has also boosted the state’s tourism sector, with more tourists visiting the state to explore its cultural and historical heritage.

The expressway has also been significant in terms of the state’s industrial development. Several industrial areas have come up along the route, which has attracted investment from both domestic and foreign companies. The expressway has made it easier for companies to transport their goods to different parts of the state, leading to the growth of the state’s economy.

Challenges Faced During Construction

The construction of the Lucknow-Agra Expressway was not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges faced by the government was acquiring land for the project. Land acquisition has always been a contentious issue in India, and the government had to face several protests from farmers who were unwilling to part with their land.

Another challenge faced by the government was funding the project. The construction of the expressway required a significant amount of investment, and the government had to explore different funding options to finance the project.

History of the Lucknow-Agra Expressway

The Lucknow-Agra Expressway was first proposed in the year 2000 by the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh Yadav. The proposed expressway was planned to be 250 km long and was aimed at improving the connectivity between the two major cities of the state. However, the project was put on hold due to a lack of funds.

In 2012, Akhilesh Yadav, the son of Mulayam Singh Yadav and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh at that time, revived the project and started working on it. The new plan involved a longer expressway of 302 km, starting from Lucknow and ending in Agra. The project was expected to cost around Rs. 15,000 crore and was planned to be completed in four years.

The construction work on the expressway began in November 2013 and was completed in November 2016, just within the estimated time. The expressway was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, on November 21, 2016.

Salient Features of the Lucknow-Agra Expressway

The Lucknow-Agra Expressway is not just another road but a modern infrastructure project that has set a benchmark for other states in the country. Here are some of its salient features:

1. Length and width: The expressway is 302 km long and 6 lanes wide, making it one of the longest and widest expressways in the country.
2. Toll-free: The expressway is a toll-free road, making it easy for the commuters to travel without any financial burden.
3. Smart highway: The expressway is a smart highway, equipped with various modern features like automatic traffic management, CCTV surveillance, and SOS booths.
4. Green highway: The expressway has been built keeping in mind the environmental concerns, and thus it has several features like rainwater harvesting, solar street lights, and tree plantation on the roadside.
5. Emergency landing strip: The expressway has a 3.2 km long emergency landing strip for fighter planes of the Indian Air Force, which can be used in case of any emergency.
6. Helipads: The expressway has helipads at every 25 km, making it easy for emergency services like medical aid and evacuation.

Impact of the Lucknow-Agra Expressway

The Lucknow-Agra Expressway has not just made commuting easier but has also impacted the overall development of the region. Here are some of its major impacts:

1. Economic growth: The expressway has boosted the economic growth of the region by connecting the two major cities of Uttar Pradesh. It has also facilitated the growth of small and medium enterprises by providing easy access to the markets.
2. Tourism: The expressway has increased the tourism potential of the region by providing easy access to the major tourist destinations like the Taj Mahal and other historical places.
3. Employment generation: The construction of the expressway has generated a large number of employment opportunities in the region. Apart from this, the growth of the small and medium enterprises has also resulted in the generation of employment.
4. Improved connectivity: The expressway has improved the connectivity between the two major cities of Uttar Pradesh, which has resulted in increased trade and commerce.
5. Regional development: The expressway has also facilitated the overall development of the region by improving the accessibility to the basic amenities like healthcare and education.

The Lucknow-Agra Expressway has been a long time in the making. The project was first announced in 2009 by the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati. Construction began in 2014 and was completed in 2016, a year ahead of schedule. The expressway was built at a cost of approximately Rs 13,000 crore.

The project was executed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA). It is a six-lane, 302 km-long expressway that connects the two major cities of Lucknow and Agra. The expressway also has a provision for service roads and toll plazas. It passes through nine districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, Barabanki, Unnao, Kanpur, Kannauj, Auraiya, Etawah, Firozabad, and Agra.