The highly anticipated Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway, which stretches for 63 kilometers, is approaching its completion and is expected to be inaugurated next month. This new route is set to drastically cut travel time between Lucknow and Kanpur from 1.5 to 3 hours down to merely 30 minutes, according to officials.
This six-lane expressway aims to alleviate congestion faced by commuters traveling on existing routes, particularly during rush hours. The total distance between the two cities is approximately 90 kilometers.
However, the proposed toll fees for using the expressway have sparked some concerns. For light motor vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans, a one-way trip from Lucknow to Kanpur will cost Rs 275. A round trip within 24 hours will amount to Rs 415. Those who frequently use the expressway can purchase a monthly pass, allowing for 50 single trips, at a cost of Rs 9,220.
Currently, a one-way trip on NH-27 between Lucknow and Kanpur costs Rs 95. There are indications that once the expressway is open, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) may increase toll rates on NH-27 as well.
In an interview with The Indian Express, project officials elaborated on the expressway’s design, which incorporates various structures like bridges and elevated roads aimed at minimizing travel time. These features have contributed to the project’s higher costs. Nakul Prakash Verma, Project Director at NHAI, noted, “The toll rates reflect the project’s expenses, which have risen due to elements such as the elevated section and lengthy flyovers.”
The expressway, constructed at a cost of Rs 3,700 crore, measures 62.764 kilometers and is divided into two segments. Work on the first segment commenced on February 2, 2023, with a completion target set for July 2025. The Unnao section began in November 2022 and is expected to finish by May 2025. Currently, the Unnao stretch is completed, while around 2% of the Lucknow stretch remains to be finished.
Officials indicated that delays in the project timeline were primarily due to the relocation of a 400KV EHT electrical line at the Scooter India junction, a matter that has now been resolved.
The expressway will also feature an Advanced Traffic Management System designed to detect speeding vehicles and automatically issue fines to those exceeding 120 km/h. This system includes 63 pan-tilt cameras, 21 interchange cameras, 16 video incident detection systems, and two control rooms situated at 27 km and 35 km markers.
Officials explained that with these advanced technologies, they aim to reduce response times to accidents or incidents to between 10 and 15 minutes.
For light commercial vehicles such as mini buses, the toll for a single journey will be Rs 445, while a return trip will cost Rs 670. A monthly pass for these vehicles will be priced at Rs 14,890.
Buses and trucks will face fees of up to Rs 935 for a one-way trip and Rs 1,405 for a return trip. Vehicles with seven or more axles will incur charges of Rs 1,785 for a single journey and Rs 2,680 for a return trip within 24 hours.
Maulshree Seth serves as an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express in Lucknow and has over 15 years of experience in journalism. She is recognized for her in-depth reporting across a variety of topics in Uttar Pradesh, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development. Her work is distinguished by thorough contextual analysis and her ability to access primary sources, establishing her as a trusted authority on the interplay between law and politics in Northern India.
Her commitment to ethical journalism is demonstrated through meticulous fact-checking and a dedication to impartial storytelling. By prioritizing field research and verification, even in remote areas, she ensures her audience receives an accurate and comprehensive perspective on current events.
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