New Route to Cut Travel Time by Half

Uttar Pradesh is set to get another major highway project as work has commenced on the 125-km-long Farrukhabad Link Expressway. The new corridor will connect the Ganga Expressway with the Agra Expressway, significantly improving regional mobility. Once operational, the route is expected to cut travel time by nearly half. As a result, the current journey of over eight hours will be significantly reduced.

Project Scope and Strategic Role

The expressway will serve as a crucial connector between two major corridors in the state. The project will link the Ganga Expressway with the Agra Expressway. As a result, it will improve connectivity across Uttar Pradesh.

Districts to Gain Direct Access

The new road will provide a direct connection to Agra for Shahjahanpur, Hardoi and several neighbouring districts. Residents of Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Pilibhit, Badaun and Lakhimpur Kheri will get easier access to the Agra Expressway.

At present, there is no straight route to the Agra Expressway from these areas. Travellers from Jalalabad to Mathura, Vrindavan or Agra pass through Kaimganj in Farrukhabad or via Etah. As a result, the journey takes considerably longer.

Detailed Alignment and Villages Covered

The alignment will pass through Hardoi and connect Farrukhabad along the way. Three villages in Jalalabad tehsil have a significant role in the project. The route will link Rawatpur with Rupapur in Hardoi. 

It will then move through Ramapur Bajheda, Bhudiya Raghunathpur and Hullapur before reaching Naugawan at the Farrukhabad border. The corridor will also integrate Etawah, Kannauj, Mainpuri and Farrukhabad with Shahjahanpur through Hardoi.

Land Acquisition Progress

The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority is executing the project. For the 125-km stretch, it is acquiring 36 hectares from 792 farmers.

So far, sale deeds for 45 farmers have been completed. The process to execute sale agreements for the remaining land has started, with completion targeted by 28 February.

Construction Timeline and Interchange Plan

Construction will begin once instalment payments are released following the completion of land formalities. The expressway will begin near Kudrail village in Takha, Etawah, close to the Agra Expressway. It will then extend to Kausiya village in Hardoi, where it will connect to the Ganga Expressway. An interchange is planned near Rupapur to provide connectivity to Rawatpur village through the link expressway.