Why in News?

The inauguration of the Gorakhpur Link Expressway is a landmark event in Uttar Pradesh’s mission to establish itself as an “Expressway State.” This project is a key component of the ‘double-engine government’s’ strategy to accelerate development in the Purvanchal region, historically one of the state’s most underdeveloped areas. By directly linking industrial and economic hubs, the expressway aims to shed the ‘BIMARU’ tag and transform the socio-economic landscape of Eastern U.P.

Key Features of the Gorakhpur Link Expressway

• Total Length: 91.35 km
• Total Project Cost: ₹7,283 crore
• Lanes: Four-lane, expandable to six lanes
• Inaugurated By: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
• Key Districts Connected: Gorakhpur, Azamgarh, Sant Kabir Nagar, and Ambedkar Nagar.
• Strategic Connection: Links Jaitpur on NH-27 in Gorakhpur to Salarpur in Azamgarh, where it merges with the Purvanchal Expressway.

Objectives & Significance

• Economic Growth: Designed to create an industrial corridor, attracting investment in manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.
• Reduced Travel Time: Drastically cuts travel time between Gorakhpur and major cities like Lucknow, Agra, and Delhi. The journey to Lucknow is now expected to take just 3.5 hours.
• Enhanced Connectivity: Provides a high-speed, access-controlled route for farmers, traders, and the general public, facilitating faster movement of goods and people.
• Employment Generation: The construction and subsequent industrial development along the corridor are expected to create significant employment opportunities for the local population.

Chief Minister’s Key Statements

• “The new Uttar Pradesh of the new India is making its new identity as the ‘Expressway State’.”
• “This expressway will not only connect Azamgarh to Gorakhpur but will also give a new impetus to the entire Purvanchal.”
• He emphasized that where there is speed, there is progress, and with progress comes prosperity and happiness for every citizen.
• The CM contrasted the current era of development with past regimes, stating that a secure, mafia-free environment is essential for such large-scale infrastructure projects to succeed.

Context & Background

The term BIMARU is an acronym for Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, historically used to refer to states that lagged in economic and developmental indicators. The current government’s focus on building a dense network of expressways is a core strategy to overcome this legacy.

Uttar Pradesh now has a formidable network of operational expressways, including:

• Yamuna Expressway: 165 km
• Agra-Lucknow Expressway: 302 km
• Purvanchal Expressway: 341 km
• Bundelkhand Expressway: 296 km
• Gorakhpur Link Expressway: 91.35 km

With several more expressways under construction, the state is solidifying its position as the leader in India’s high-speed road infrastructure.