: Monday, July 13, 2026 10:15 PM
Lucknow. On Monday, July 13, another historic chapter was added towards the rapidly developing modern infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The 63 kilometer long Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway (National Expressway-6), connecting the state capital Lucknow and the industrial city Kanpur, has been dedicated to the public after its inauguration. With the commencement of this expressway, the problem of traffic jam that has been going on for years between the two cities has been relieved. Whereas earlier this journey used to be completed in two and a half to three hours, now it can be completed in just 35 to 45 minutes. The foundation of this 63 kilometer long expressway project, built with about 1648 days of hard work, modern technology and wisdom, was laid in the year 2018. In view of the ever-increasing traffic between Lucknow and Kanpur, the hour-long jams and the journey lasting up to three hours, its detailed project report (DPR) was prepared at a cost of approximately Rs 4,500 crore. The objective of the project was to provide world-class, secure and fast connectivity between the two metros.
In March 2019, the foundation stone of this project was laid by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. After this, in December 2020, considering the importance of this project, the Central Government gave it the status of National Expressway-6 (NE-6). With this, it had moved ahead on the path of becoming the country’s first expressway fully equipped with AI and modern traffic management. To speed up the construction work, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had divided the project into two packages. The responsibility of whose construction was entrusted to PNC Infratech.
The first package was an approximately 18 km long elevated section connecting Amausi and Shaheed Path area of Lucknow. Despite challenges like dense population, traffic and land acquisition, engineers successfully completed this difficult task with the help of modern technology. While the second package was about 45 km long greenfield section, which was developed on new land. This route passes through 11 villages of Lucknow and 31 villages of Unnao.
After the completion of land acquisition, the construction of this part progressed at a fast pace in the year 2022. By October 2025, its 45 km greenfield portion was completely ready. In the early months of 2026, the construction of the last girders and ramps of the Lucknow package was 99 percent completed. Its trial run took place in June 2026. The biggest feature of Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway is its state-of-the-art technology. Automated Machine Guide Construction System was used on a large scale in road construction. Machines operated by computers and satellite based technology made road construction more accurate, stronger and sustainable. This significantly improved the quality of construction and significantly reduced the possibility of human errors.
Another important feature of this expressway is its Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system. Traditional toll plazas have not been built here. Vehicles will be able to travel up to a speed of 120 kmph without stopping and toll will be automatically deducted through advanced Fast Tag and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. This will save time for passengers, reduce fuel consumption and will also provide complete relief from traffic jams at toll plazas.
In terms of security arrangements, this expressway is also included among the most modern routes in the country. More than 80 high definition cameras, 16 video incident detection systems and speed radars have been installed on the entire 63 kilometer route. If a vehicle exceeds the prescribed speed limit, an automatic challan will be deducted directly from the control room. Environmental protection has also been given equal importance in this project.
More than 46 thousand saplings have been planted on both sides of the expressway with the help of the Forest Department, so that passengers can experience a beautiful green corridor during the journey. Lakhs of passengers will get the biggest benefit of Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway. Thousands of working people, students, businessmen, entrepreneurs and employees of industrial units travel between the two cities every day.
With the opening of the 6-lane (expandable to 8-lane in future) Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway, the travel time between the two cities has reduced from 2.5-3 hours to just 35 to 45 minutes. This modern expressway will give a new impetus to the proposed State Capital Region, industrial development, investment, faster freight transportation and regional connectivity.
—
Read this also – Click to read the news of your state/city before the newspaper.
Web Title-Uttar Pradesh: Journey time cut from 2.5–3 hours to 45 minutes; Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway launched
