Uttar Pradesh Approves Six North–South Road Corridors to Boost Connectivity and Growth

UP Infrastructure Push: New Vertical Road Corridors to Transform Regional Mobility

In a major infrastructure push, the Uttar Pradesh government has cleared the development of six new North–South road corridors aimed at bridging long-standing connectivity gaps across the state. The ambitious plan is designed to connect over 24 districts, reduce travel time between northern and southern regions, and promote balanced regional development. Once completed, the corridors are expected to strengthen logistics networks, attract private investment, and generate large-scale employment.

Policy Shift Towards Vertical Connectivity

The proposal has received in-principle approval from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, reflecting a strategic shift in Uttar Pradesh’s road development policy. While the state has made significant progress through east–west expressways in recent years, the new focus is on improving vertical (north–south) movement. The Chief Minister has repeatedly highlighted this requirement in discussions with the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, leading to coordinated planning between state and central agencies. The Public Works Department has finalised preliminary designs, with cabinet approval for project costs expected shortly.

Major Routes in Eastern Uttar Pradesh

One of the flagship corridors will run from Shravasti to Prayagraj, covering around 262 kilometres and passing through key districts such as Ayodhya, Sultanpur, and Pratapgarh. Several segments of this route will be developed as six-lane greenfield highways, ensuring seamless integration with existing expressways. Another crucial corridor will connect Kushinagar and Varanasi via Deoria and Ghazipur, upgrading existing stretches and adding new links to improve religious, cultural, and economic connectivity.

Strengthening Border, Central, and Bundelkhand Links

To enhance regional and cross-border movement, a 295 km corridor from the Nepal border at Pipri to Prayagraj has also been planned. This route will be jointly executed by the state PWD and central agencies. In addition, the 502 km Lakhimpur–Banda corridor will pass through Sitapur and Lucknow, extending into Bundelkhand and improving access to agricultural and industrial belts that have remained relatively under-connected.

Longest Corridor and Implementation Timeline

The longest of the six corridors will stretch nearly 547 km from Bareilly to Lalitpur via Agra and Jhansi, effectively creating a continuous north–south transport spine by linking multiple expressways. A sixth corridor, connecting Pilibhit to Harpalpur, will further integrate forest regions, industrial zones, and Bundelkhand districts. Construction work is expected to begin after cabinet clearance, with the state targeting completion of all six corridors within the next two years.

Important Facts for Exams

• Uttar Pradesh has approved six new North–South road corridors .

• The corridors will connect more than 24 districts across the state.

• Projects will integrate major expressways such as Purvanchal, Ganga, and Yamuna Expressways .

• Execution will involve State PWD along with central agencies like NHAI and MoRTH .

• The Bareilly–Lalitpur corridor (547 km) will be the longest among the six.

• Targeted completion period is within two years of cabinet approval.