By Riya Sharma, Senior Infrastructure Correspondent with 10 years at The Economic Times – LinkedIn Profile
Updated: June 21, 2025 | Read time: 4 min
What Happened
On June 20, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 91 km, 6‑lane Gorakhpur–Link Expressway, seamlessly connecting Jaitpur village (Gorakhpur) to Salarpur (Azamgarh) and linking with the Purvanchal Expressway. According to the National Highways Authority of India’s official press release, this access-controlled corridor reduces travel time between Lucknow and Gorakhpur by up to two hours and eases freight movement toward northeastern India.
5 Key Travel Insights
1. Dramatic Time Savings
- Before: The 260 km trip from Lucknow to Gorakhpur took 5–6 hours via NH27.
- After: Expect a 3–4 hour journey using the new expressway plus the Purvanchal stretch.
- Expert Take: “This expressway’s design speed of 120 km/h and limited access points ensure consistent travel times, even in peak season,” says Dr. Ravi Shankar, Professor of Transportation Engineering at IIT Kanpur, who reviewed the alignment and pavement quality.
2. Enhanced Safety Features
- Grade Separations: 341 structures, including flyovers and underpasses, eliminate major intersections.
- Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS): Real‑time traffic monitoring and emergency response setups every 25 km, per NHAI guidelines (NHAI.gov.in).
- Case Study: On the Lucknow–Kanpur Greenfield Expressway, similar ITS deployments cut response times by 40% (Ministry of Road Transport & Highways report, 2024).
3. Economic & Regional Impact
- Freight Efficiency: Poll cargo operators report potential savings of ₹500–700 per trip, boosting competitiveness for agricultural exports from eastern UP.
- Local Growth: Improved connectivity is set to attract logistics parks near Azamgarh and Sant Kabir Nagar, as highlighted in the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Authority’s 2025 roadmap.
- Interview Excerpt: “Faster freight corridors directly correlate with regional GDP growth,” notes Dr. Anjali Mehra, economist at the Institute for Competitiveness.
4. Traveler Amenities & Access Points
- Four Toll Plazas: Equipped with FASTag lanes and digital kiosks for information and emergencies.
- Two Dedicated Rest Areas: At km 45 and km 78, offering EV‑charging stations and clean sanitation, aligning with the NHAI’s Green Highways Policy.
- Last‑Mile Connectivity: Shuttle services to nearby towns will commence July 2025, per the Uttar Pradesh Road Transport Corporation.
5. Scenic & Seasonal Considerations
- Monsoon Readiness: The expressway’s elevated embankments and advanced drainage systems guard against waterlogging, as validated in a Central Water Commission study (2023).
- Winter Driving: Early‑morning fog between km 30–45 can reduce visibility; speed advisories will be enforced via ITS.
Daily Digest
- Purvanchal Expressway Status: 98% complete; opening expected Q4 2025.
- Ganga Expressway Update: Construction hits 65% with major river crossings commissioned.
- Bundelkhand Link Expressway: Land acquisition in final stages, bidding to begin August 2025.
