Gorakhpur Link Expressway
The Lucknow UP Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) is nearing the completion of the Gorakhpur Link Expressway, with the main carriageway expected to be finished by the end of July, and the remaining work on the service lanes slated for completion by the end of 2024. This expressway is a crucial infrastructure project, connecting Gorakhpur in the eastern Uttar Pradesh region to the Poorvanchal Expressway and integrating it into the broader network of UP’s expressways.
Spanning a distance of 91.352 kilometers, this access-controlled, four-lane expressway commences at Jaitpur in Gorakhpur and links to the Poorvanchal Expressway at Salarpur in Azamgarh district. The expressway route traverses through the districts of Gorakhpur, Azamgarh, Ambedkar Nagar, and Sant Kabir Nagar, thereby enhancing connectivity and potentially spurring economic growth in these areas. The project is being executed in two packages to streamline its development.
Initiated following the installation of the Yogi Adityanath government, the Gorakhpur Link Expressway is approximately 98% complete. However, the project’s cost has escalated by 23.93%, with the initial estimate of ₹5,876.68 crore in 2019 being revised upwards to ₹7,283 crore. This increase is attributed to several factors, including the rising demand for the construction of underpasses along the route to facilitate better local connectivity and ensure safety. Consequently, this additional work necessitated the acquisition of more land and the relocation of utilities such as electric poles and wires.
Moreover, the increase in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate from 12% to 18% has further contributed to the overall cost escalation. A senior officer explained that these unforeseen additional requirements and rising costs of materials and labor have led to the upward revision of the project’s budget.
The completion of this expressway is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Gorakhpur and other major cities in Uttar Pradesh, enhance trade and transportation efficiency, and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the region. The strategic importance of the Gorakhpur Link Expressway cannot be overstated, as it forms a vital link in the state’s expressway network, promising to improve regional connectivity and bolster economic activities across eastern Uttar Pradesh.
