Uttar Pradesh’s Strategies for Enhancing Connectivity with Neighbouring States

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• November 25, 2025
• Development, Uttar Pradesh
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Strengthening regional ties through advanced infrastructure and strategic initiatives.

Introduction

Uttar Pradesh, with its strategic location and proximity to nine states, serves as a vital economic and logistical hub in India. Recognizing its geographical significance, the state has undertaken transformative measures to bolster connectivity with its neighbors. From expressways and highways to rail corridors and multi-modal logistics hubs, these initiatives aim to facilitate trade, improve mobility, and ensure seamless integration across the region.

Expressway Projects: Building High-Speed Corridors

The Uttar Pradesh government is developing an extensive network of expressways to connect its districts with neighboring states efficiently.

• Operational Projects:
  • Yamuna Expressway: A 165-km expressway connecting Greater Noida to Agra, significantly enhancing connectivity with Delhi and Haryana.
  • Agra-Lucknow Expressway: A 302-km six-lane highway linking Agra to the state capital, improving access to central Uttar Pradesh.
• Key Projects in Progress:
  • Purvanchal Expressway: Extending 343 km from Lucknow to Ghazipur, this project improves access to Bihar and the eastern states.
  • Bundelkhand Expressway: Covering 296 km from Chitrakoot to Etawah, this expressway strengthens links to Madhya Pradesh.
  • Ganga Expressway: At 594 km, it will connect Meerut to Prayagraj, facilitating movement to Uttarakhand and Delhi.

(Source: Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA))

Rail Connectivity: Expanding the State’s Network

Uttar Pradesh is investing heavily in its railway infrastructure to foster better connectivity with its neighbors.

• Dedicated Freight Corridors:
  The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC), passing through Uttar Pradesh, connects key industrial zones to ports and markets across the country.
• High-Speed Rail Projects:
  • Uttar Pradesh is part of the Delhi-Varanasi High-Speed Rail Corridor, which will reduce travel time between Delhi and eastern Uttar Pradesh to under four hours.

(Source: Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL), National High-Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRC))

Road Network Enhancements

The state is prioritizing the development of national and state highways to strengthen interstate travel and trade.

• National Highway Expansion:
  Uttar Pradesh has expanded its network of national highways to 8,711 km as of 2023, connecting the state seamlessly with Rajasthan, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Rural-Urban Connectivity:
  Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), rural road networks are being developed to integrate villages with state and national highways.

(Source: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of Uttar Pradesh)

Multi-Modal Logistics Hubs

To reduce transportation costs and improve supply chain efficiency, Uttar Pradesh is focusing on multi-modal logistics hubs.

• Greater Noida Logistics Hub:
  This facility integrates rail, road, and air connectivity, serving as a gateway for goods to neighboring states.
• Inland Waterways Development:
  The National Waterway-1 project, connecting Varanasi to Haldia, leverages the Ganga River for goods transport, linking Uttar Pradesh with Jharkhand and West Bengal.

(Source: Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Authority, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI))

Air Connectivity

• Noida International Airport:
  Currently under construction in Jewar, this airport will be a critical node in connecting Uttar Pradesh with international and domestic markets. It will facilitate cargo and passenger movement with neighboring states and beyond.
• Upgraded Regional Airports:
  Airports in Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, and Kanpur have been upgraded to support interstate air travel under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme.

(Source: Airports Authority of India (AAI), Uttar Pradesh Civil Aviation Department)

Key Interstate Projects

• Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway: A major highway connecting Varanasi to Kolkata via Bihar and Jharkhand, reducing travel time and boosting trade.
• Gorakhpur-Siliguri Corridor: A strategic road project linking Uttar Pradesh to West Bengal, enhancing connectivity with the eastern states.

(Source: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways)

Challenges and Opportunities

• Challenges:
  • Ensuring timely project execution and addressing land acquisition hurdles.
  • Maintaining financial sustainability for large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Opportunities:
  • Creating jobs through infrastructure development and related sectors.
  • Boosting tourism and trade by improving accessibility to cultural and economic hubs.

Conclusion

Uttar Pradesh’s multi-faceted approach to enhancing connectivity with neighboring states highlights its commitment to fostering regional integration and economic growth. Through innovative projects and strategic investments in expressways, railways, and logistics hubs, the state is poised to become a model for inter-state connectivity in India. These efforts not only strengthen ties with neighboring regions but also position Uttar Pradesh as a central player in India’s development trajectory.