The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has proposed an ambitious plan to convert its vast highway network into industrial corridors to speed up the state's transition to a $1 trillion economy.

Near each expressway project, the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), a state agency, will purchase about 100 acres of land to allocate it to enterprises. To enable quicker freight transit and smoother logistics, the government will spend about ₹4,000 crore to purchase land close to highway entry and departure points.

industrial corridors
Image Source: Ganga Expressway

Although UP now has four expressways in service, there are numerous additional significant projects in the works, such as the ₹36,000 crore, 595-km Ganga Expressway. The Ganga Expressway is expected to be finished by December 2024, in time for Prayagraj's Mahakumbh Mela in early 2025.

To encourage industrial expansion in the Jalaun and Banda districts, industrial corridors are proposed along the Bundelkhand Expressway. It is anticipated that the more rapid flow of dairy, processed, and agricultural goods along the expressways will strengthen rural economies and increase rural incomes.

In addition, UP wants to establish a strong network of charging stations for electric vehicles and batteries throughout South Asia's highways and expressways. Bids are being accepted by UPPCL (Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited) to establish 58 EV charging stations throughout the state.

With 1,788 km of both built and under construction expressways as of right now, Uttar Pradesh leads the nation in this regard. The goal of the state government's massive highway infrastructure construction is to increase economic growth, promote balanced regional development, and improve connectivity. The expressways are anticipated to shorten travel times, create new business opportunities, and draw investment—particularly in the less developed areas of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand.

Other significant actions that the Uttar Pradesh administration has taken to hasten the state's transition to a $1 trillion economy include:

Since 2018, the state has had several groundbreaking ceremonies to start projects totaling over ₹16 lakh crore, creating over 34 lakh jobs.

Proposals totaling ₹48,000 crore were submitted to UP for the development of tourism infrastructure in Mathura, Varanasi, and Ayodhya.

With 362.41 lakh tons of milk produced in 2022–2023, UP had a 6.99% growth in milk output.

Cities such as Gautam Buddha Nagar, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Prayagraj are being developed by the state as specialized hubs for IT and AI.

Through the strategic utilization of its transportation network, the state can draw in capital, foster industrial expansion, and bolster the rural economy, thus creating novel opportunities for sustainable and equitable development.

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