UP CM Inaugurates 91 km Gorakhpur Link Expressway
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the 91.35-kilometre-long Gorakhpur Link Expressway on June 20, marking a significant milestone in the state’s growing expressway network. The inauguration ceremonies were held at Salarpur in Azamgarh and at the Bhagwanpur toll plaza near Gorakhpur. The expressway connects Jaitpur in Gorakhpur district with Salarpur in Azamgarh, where it links to the Purvanchal Expressway.
Gorakhpur Expressway to Transform Regional Travel
The four-lane greenfield expressway, expandable to six lanes, was constructed with an investment of over ₹7,200 crore. Construction began in 2018, with land acquisition covering over 1,100 hectares from more than 22,000 farmers across Gorakhpur, Azamgarh, Ambedkar Nagar, and Sant Kabir Nagar districts. The expressway includes two toll plazas, multiple flyovers, underpasses, and major bridges including one across the Ghaghra River.
The new route drastically reduces travel time. For instance, the journey from Gorakhpur to Lucknow now takes approximately 3.5 hours instead of over 5. The drive to areas like Urwa is down to 20–25 minutes from nearly an hour. The project is expected to ease logistics, promote safer and faster movement, and support regional economic integration.
Boost to Economy and Infrastructure Dominance
With this expressway operational, Uttar Pradesh now holds 42% of India’s access-controlled expressway network. Once the Ganga Expressway is completed, this share will rise to 62%, underscoring the state’s leadership in infrastructure development. The Gorakhpur Link Expressway is also expected to catalyze industrial activity in eastern UP, particularly in Gorakhpur and Ambedkar Nagar where land has already been earmarked for industrial parks.
Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’ described the expressway as a “new route to prosperity,” while Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh praised the Chief Minister’s governance and commitment to safety and development. MP Ravi Kishan compared the expressway to U.S. standards and predicted increased employment through upcoming industrial projects along the corridor.
Grand Public Reception and Inspection
During the expressway tour, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath received an enthusiastic welcome from locals at 15 points along the route. Residents waved tricolours and chanted slogans of appreciation. The CM also inspected the Ghaghra River bridge and instructed officials to ensure protective measures and structural stability.
The project was overseen by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), whose CEO and State Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh highlighted the expressway’s role in transforming connectivity in eastern UP. He also noted that the state is working on several more expressways, including the Ganga, Ballia Link, and Lucknow-Kanpur Greenfield projects, with new routes like Chitrakoot and Jewar Airport corridors in the pipeline.
The Gorakhpur Link Expressway stands as a symbol of Uttar Pradesh’s infrastructure push, designed to accelerate growth, reduce travel bottlenecks, and position the state as a leading logistics and industrial hub.
