Lucknow – In a significant step towards boosting regional connectivity and promoting pilgrimage tourism, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has approved the construction of the Chitrakoot Link Expressway. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting held on 22 July, where 37 out of 38 proposals were cleared.
Project Overview: 15.17 km Four-Lane Expressway
The proposed expressway will span 15.17 kilometres, beginning near Bharatkup in Chitrakoot district and ending at Ahmedganj village on NH-135BG, intersecting NH-35/76 along the way. It will connect the Varanasi–Banda route to the Bundelkhand Expressway, enhancing access to eastern and southern Uttar Pradesh.
Initially constructed as a four-lane highway, it is being designed with future expansion in mind and will be capable of becoming a six-lane road as demand increases.
Execution Model and Timeline
The expressway will be developed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model. The total estimated project cost is ₹939.67 crore, and notably, no financial contribution from the Central government will be involved.
After the tendering process is completed and a contractor is selected, construction is expected to be completed within 548 days. The contractor will also be responsible for five years of post-construction maintenance.
Infrastructure and Safety Features
The project’s blueprint includes:
- 1 long bridge
- 4 minor bridges
- 1 flyover
- 17 underpasses
- 23 culverts
The expressway will be built for a design speed of 120 km/h, making it suitable for high-speed travel.
To ensure safety, the road will feature three-beam metal crash barriers along both the medians and edges, as well as wire fencing on both sides. Service roads will be constructed where necessary to facilitate local access.
Strategic and Cultural Importance
The Chitrakoot Link Expressway is expected to play a transformative role in improving access to Chitrakoot Dham, a prominent spiritual and cultural destination in Uttar Pradesh. By directly linking the town to the state’s expanding expressway network, the project is likely to benefit pilgrims, tourists, and local economies, while also easing transport logistics across the region.
This expressway further solidifies Uttar Pradesh’s emerging identity as “Expressway Pradesh,” with the government accelerating infrastructure development to stimulate economic growth and regional integration.
