Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Inaugurates Lucknow–Kanpur 6-Lane Expressway; Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Attends Ceremony
Lucknow: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Monday inaugurated the Lucknow–Kanpur 6-lane Expressway and the Lucknow–Hardoi 4-lane Expressway in a grand ceremony. The event was attended by Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, along with several public representatives and senior officials. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally inaugurated the expressway by cutting the ceremonial ribbon.
Addressing the gathering, Rajnath Singh congratulated the people of Uttar Pradesh, especially the residents of Lucknow, Kanpur, and Unnao, on the inauguration of these important road infrastructure projects. He said that the 63-kilometre-long, six-lane Lucknow–Kanpur Expressway, constructed at a cost of approximately ₹4,200 crore, marks a historic milestone in the development of Uttar Pradesh. He added that the expressway would seamlessly connect the districts of Lucknow, Kanpur, and Unnao, strengthening regional connectivity and development.
The Defence Minister said that the modern expressway will enable people to travel in less time while ensuring greater comfort, convenience, and safety. It will also help reduce traffic congestion, boost trade and industry, and accelerate the region’s economic growth.
He further stated that while Lucknow represents the state’s cultural and administrative strength, Kanpur is one of Uttar Pradesh’s leading industrial and economic hubs. Both cities are also important nodes of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor. The expressway, he said, will play a significant role in promoting defence manufacturing, attracting investment, improving transportation, and creating employment opportunities.
Expressing confidence in the project’s long-term impact, Rajnath Singh said that its benefits would not be limited to major cities but would also reach small towns and villages in the surrounding areas. He described the expressway as a vital infrastructure project that would prove to be a boon for both the present and future generations, serving as a milestone in Uttar Pradesh’s journey toward sustained development and prosperity.