Lucknow: Two big highway projects are progressing rapidly in the direction of further strengthening road connectivity in Uttar Pradesh. The special thing is that there are preparations to develop both these routes not like normal highways, but with access control system like expressways. This means that there will be no scope for vehicles or cattle to enter from unauthorized places on the way.
The first highway will connect Kanpur to Bhopal
The first major project is the Kanpur-Kabrai Access Controlled Greenfield Highway. This approximately 117.7 kilometer long route will start from Kanpur and reach Kabrai-Mahoba via Kanpur Dehat and Hamirpur. Further, this corridor is part of the plan to connect Bhopal via Chhatarpur, Sagar and Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh. It is estimated that about Rs 7,145.14 crore will be spent on the construction of the UP portion. The tender for the construction work of this project is set to be approved in this financial year. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs of the Central Government has already approved the Kanpur-Kabarai Highway.
The second highway will connect 18 districts of UP
The second project is of Panipat-Shamli-Gorakhpur-Siliguri Highway. This will be a large high-speed greenfield corridor, the total length of which is said to be about 1,313 kilometers. Its part in UP will be about 745 kilometers long from Shamli to Kushinagar. This route is going to connect about 18 districts of the state. The alignment for this corridor has been approved in UP and the Detailed Project Report i.e. DPR has been sent for approval. The tender related to the construction of this part is expected to be approved in the next financial year.
The journey will be like an expressway
The most special thing about both the projects is that they are access controlled. This means that vehicles will be able to enter and exit the highway only through designated entry and exit points. Local vehicles, pedestrians or cattle will not be able to enter the highway from midway. This will reduce the possibility of sudden obstructions and traffic will be able to move in a more organized manner.