The Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway was inaugurated on Monday, marking a major milestone in Uttar Pradesh‘s road infrastructure. The project was inaugurated by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak.
Built at an estimated cost of ₹4,700 crore, the 63-km access-controlled expressway is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Lucknow and Kanpur. The route will be opened for public use from 8 a.m. on Tuesday.
Travel Time Reduced to Just 40 Minutes
The new expressway is expected to reduce the travel time between Lucknow and Kanpur from around 2.5 to 3 hours to nearly 40 minutes. The faster corridor is designed to ease congestion on the existing route while offering a smoother and more efficient commuting experience for daily travellers, businesses and commercial transport.
India’s First Barrier-Free Expressway
The Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway has been developed as the country’s first barrier-free expressway. Vehicles will not have to stop at toll plazas, as toll collection will be carried out automatically using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and FASTag technology.
The expressway also features an AI-enabled monitoring system that can instantly alert the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) control room in the event of an accident or any other emergency, enabling faster response and improved road safety.
Vehicles will be allowed to travel at speeds of up to 120 kmph, while two-wheelers will not be permitted on the expressway.
Higher Toll for Faster Travel
With the launch of the new expressway, toll charges have increased for private vehicles. A car travelling between Lucknow and Kanpur will now pay ₹275, compared to approximately ₹95 on the earlier route.
Officials said the higher toll reflects the improved infrastructure and the significant reduction in travel time, offering commuters a faster and uninterrupted journey.
Project Completed After Four Years
The foundation stone for the expressway was laid on January 5, 2022, and the project has been completed in about 1,650 days.
Before the inauguration, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited an exhibition showcasing the project’s engineering features, construction progress and expected economic benefits for the region.
CM Yogi Highlights Infrastructure Growth
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh has emerged as one of India’s leading states in infrastructure development with a rapidly expanding network of expressways, airports and metro systems.
He said the new expressway will not only improve regional connectivity but also strengthen economic activity, industrial growth and investment across the Lucknow-Kanpur corridor.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also said the project would make travel between the two cities faster and more convenient while supporting the state’s long-term development goals.
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