Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, along with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for National Highway projects worth over ₹4,850 crore in Lucknow, marking a major milestone in the state’s road infrastructure development. The projects are aimed at enhancing connectivity, reducing travel time and supporting economic growth across the region.
The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the 63-km Lucknow–Kanpur Expressway, a six-lane access-controlled corridor that is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities to 45–50 minutes. The expressway is designed to improve traffic flow, facilitate faster movement of passengers and freight, and strengthen connectivity between two of Uttar Pradesh’s largest urban and industrial centres.
In addition to the expressway, the leaders inaugurated and laid the foundation for three National Highway projects with a combined investment exceeding ₹4,850 crore. These projects are expected to improve regional road infrastructure, ease congestion on existing routes and provide seamless connectivity for commuters and commercial vehicles.
Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari described the Lucknow–Kanpur Expressway as a “historic achievement”, stating that it would provide a new direction to connectivity and infrastructure development in Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the projects would accelerate economic activity, attract fresh investments and create new opportunities for industrial and regional development by strengthening the state’s transport network.
The inauguration forms part of the Centre’s continued push to expand India’s highway network through high-speed corridors and modern road infrastructure. The newly launched projects are expected to improve logistics efficiency, support industrial growth and reinforce Uttar Pradesh’s position as a key transportation hub in northern India.