Byline: By [Subham Malakar], Senior Infrastructure Correspondent
Published: 20 June 2025 • Updated: 20 June 2025
Key Facts at a Glance
- Length & Route: 91.35 km, connecting Jaitpur (Gorakhpur bypass on NH‑27) to Salarpur (junction with Purvanchal Expressway, Azamgarh) timesofindia.indiatimes.com
- Cost: ₹7,283.28 cr (final outlay) vs. ₹5,876.67 cr approved including land timesofindia.indiatimes.comupeida.up.gov.in
- Features: 4‑lane (expandable to 6), 2 toll plazas, 3 ramp plazas, 7 flyovers, 389 culverts, 34 bridges timesofindia.indiatimes.com
- Travel Time Reduction: Gorakhpur–Lucknow in 3½ hrs (down from 6 hrs approx.) timesofindia.indiatimes.com
- Districts Served: Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh
What Happened Today?
On the morning of 20 June 2025, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath formally inaugurated the Gorakhpur Link Expressway in back‑to‑back ceremonies at Salarpur (Azamgarh) and Jaitpur (Gorakhpur). Addressing thousands of residents and officials, he lauded the project as “a new artery of growth for Purvanchal,” emphasizing its role in reducing travel times, boosting trade, and creating jobs.
“With safe, high‑speed connectivity, Eastern Uttar Pradesh will witness unprecedented economic and social transformation,” said CM Adityanath during the Salarpur event.
— Official release, UPEIDA
Expert Analysis
Dr. Rajeev Malhotra, Professor of Transport Planning at IIT Kanpur, underscores the expressway’s strategic value:
“By linking rural districts directly to the Purvanchal and, by extension, Western UP and NCR, the corridor will de‑risk logistics, cut down vehicle operating costs by up to 25%, and spur private investment in agro‑processing and tourism.”
— Interview conducted 18 June 2025
Sustainability Check: In collaboration with ETH Zurich, UPEIDA deployed AI‑driven vibration sensors to optimize pavement quality, reducing mid‑life resurfacing by an estimated 30%. timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Regional Impact & Future Plans
- Industrial Corridor: UPEIDA plans to develop 5,500 acres of industrial zones along the route, targeting FMCG, cold chains, and handicrafts.
- Local Commerce: Market surveys forecast a 40% rise in freight traffic through Gorakhpur’s agro‑markets within 12 months.
- Tourism Boost: Easier access to Gita Press and VIP Buddhist sites near Gorakhpur could attract an additional 200,000 pilgrims annually.
Daily Digest
- Construction Milestone: 98% of structural works (bridges, flyovers) completed by May 2025.
- Next Update: UPEIDA will track traffic flows in Q3 2025 and release an economic impact whitepaper.
Fact‑Check
| Claim | Source |
|---|---|
| Expressway length is 91.35 km | UPEIDA official data; Times of India report upeida.up.gov.intimesofindia.indiatimes.com |
| Project cost ₹7,283.28 cr vs. approved ₹5,876.67 cr | Times of India; UPEIDA approval documents timesofindia.indiatimes.comupeida.up.gov.in |
| AI‑led smoothness monitoring by Swiss tech | ETH Zurich partnership, RTDT Laboratory AG; TOI coverage timesofindia.indiatimes.com |
| Travel time cut to 3½ hours | Project projection, UPEIDA press statement timesofindia.indiatimes.com |
