UP Government Clears Six North–South Road Corridors to Boost Connectivity Across State

The Uttar Pradesh government has cleared a plan for six new North–South road corridors, aimed at sharply improving links between the state’s northern and southern districts. Officials expect faster travel, better logistics and fresh jobs as work progresses, with all stretches targeted for completion within the next two years.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has formally backed the proposal, which moves away from the state’s earlier focus on east–west routes. Over the last two years, Yogi Adityanath has repeatedly pushed for north–south expressway links, raising the matter with Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and gaining support from central finance leaders.

Uttar Pradesh North–South corridors: execution plan and approvals

The Public Works Department has already prepared an action plan for stretches under its charge, and this has received administrative clearance. Project cost estimates will go to the cabinet next. PWD Chief Secretary Ajay Chauhan said construction will start once these approvals arrive, with authorities working to finish all six corridors within two years.

Officials say the Uttar Pradesh North–South corridors will touch more than 24 districts and connect many existing expressways, including Ganga, Yamuna, Purvanchal and Bundelkhand routes. Responsibility is shared between PWD and central agencies such as the National Highways Authority of India and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, depending on the stretch.

Uttar Pradesh North–South corridors: key routes and upgrades

The 262 km Shravasti–Prayagraj corridor will run through Ayodhya, Sultanpur and Pratapgarh. Some portions already have four lanes, while crucial stretches will be developed as six-lane greenfield highways. These will improve access to major expressways such as Purvanchal and Vindhya, cutting travel time between important religious and economic centres.

The Kushinagar–Varanasi corridor, about 220 km long, will pass via Deoria and Ghazipur. Certain parts are already four-lane roads. Remaining sections will be widened and strengthened by PWD at an estimated cost of ₹342 crore. Officials expect smoother movement for both local traffic and long-distance freight along this busy eastern belt.

Uttar Pradesh North–South corridors: Nepal link and Bundelkhand access

From the Nepal border at Pipri to Prayagraj, a 295 km corridor will improve cross-border movement and regional access. Work on this route will be divided between PWD and central agencies including NHAI and MoRTH. The 502 km Lakhimpur–Banda corridor will join Sitapur, Lucknow and Bundelkhand, with many stretches already four-lane and further upgrades planned.

The longest stretch among the Uttar Pradesh North–South corridors will run 547 km from Bareilly to Lalitpur via Agra and Jhansi. It will link with major expressways, including the Ganga and Yamuna routes, with selected parts being upgraded. Another corridor from Pilibhit to Harpalpur will connect forest zones, industrial clusters and Bundelkhand, creating a continuous transport spine across the state.

State officials say the Uttar Pradesh North–South corridors should speed up passenger travel, support smoother goods movement and open up new economic activity along the routes. With coordinated work by PWD and central agencies, the government aims for faster mobility and more balanced development between northern districts, central areas and the Bundelkhand region.