UP CM reviews expressway project

The proposed Agra-Lucknow expressway, which would reduce the distance between the two cities by 75 km, is estimated to cost a whopping Rs 9,500 crore.

The expressway would reduce the distance between Lucknow and Agra from 350 km to 275 km and enable motorists to commute in less than 4 hours. The UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) is the nodal agency for the project.

State Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday reviewed the proposed access-controlled project. Since Agra-Greater Noida Yamuna Expressway had already been inaugurated, there are two other mega public-private partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects aimed at providing better commuting between Delhi-Greater Noida-Ghaziabad in the National Capital Region (NCR) to Lucknow, Agra and Meerut.

The two projects are Rapid Transit System (RTS) on Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor and 8-lane access controlled expressway from Agra to Lucknow.

The Agra-Lucknow expressway, to be developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, would traverse Ferozabad, Shikohabad, Etawah, Mainpuri, Kannauj and Malihabad. These centres would be developed as growth centres in due course.

There would be minimum acquisition of fertile land, since majority of land parcels belonged to the irrigation and other government departments and fell along canal embankments. The expressway would not only develop ‘mandis’, but help in faster movement of farm produce to the urban centres. Ferozabad is proposed to be developed as ‘glass city’ once the expressway is complete.

The proposed expressway would be constructed at an elevated platform to keep it from flooding, while a green field of over 10 metres would be developed along the route.

Besides, water bodies and eco-friendly parks would be developed to conserve environment.