Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway set to be launched by PM this month

Lucknow: The 63-km-long expressway connecting Lucknow and Kanpur could be thrown open for regular movement by May 31. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to flag off the first motor vehicle on the eway in the coming days.The six-lane expressway (National Expressway 6) has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 3,700 crore and would reduce the travel time between the two key cities from the existing 2 hours to 45 minutes. The expressway has been designed to maintain a maximum speed of 120 km per hourThe matter gained significance after the Prime Minister’s Office sought details about the project from ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) on Monday. The ministry in turn got in touch with the UP west regional office of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in Lucknow on the same day.Since then, both NHAI officials, along with senior administrative officials deputed in Unnao, have begun work on creating an outline of the programme. The public address of the PM and other dignitaries could take place at Amaras, a village in Unnao situated almost 51 km away from the starting point of the expressway in Lucknow.A large vacant space is available at the site as wayside amenity that would cater to the commuters is going to be developed at Amaras, and it is connected via the carriageway through entry and exit ramps.Situated next to the Unnao-Lalganj national highway, it would be easy to park buses and other motor vehicles deputed for ferrying the public and party workers at the site. With excitement building, senior officials from MoRTH and NHAI headquarters in Delhi are coming to visit the site as well as the project on May 23.In another positive development, motor vehicle owners would get to experience the barrier-less and lane-free tolling system while entering the expressway from Lucknow city. However, while entering or exiting on the expressway from Kanpur or other four entry and exit ramps, vehicle owners would have to pass through conventional toll plaza system.A car owner would have to shell out Rs 275 to cover the 63-km-long expressway, which would connect Miranpur Pinvat village in Sarojininagar in Lucknow to Ata village in Unnao. Vehicle owners would have to cover 5.5 km thereafter to reach Jajmau Ganga bridge before entering Kanpur. Officials added that official communication is awaited, post which the high-speed access-controlled expressway would be thrown open.