Poorvanchal Expressway Project

What are the major benefits of the Poorvanchal Expressway Project?

Approach: In the introduction, give a brief account of the Poorvanchal Expressway Project. In the body, highlight the key benefits that result from it. Conclude by underlining its significance in the achievement of the SDGs.

The Poorvanchal Expressway is a transformative infrastructure project aimed at boosting connectivity, economic growth, and regional development in Uttar Pradesh. Spanning 341 km, it links Lucknow to Ghazipur via Azamgarh, improving road infrastructure in Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Poorvanchal).

The benefits of the Poorvanchal Expressway are as follows:

1. It links eastern Uttar Pradesh with the National Capital and key economic hubs of western UP (Noida, Ghaziabad). This will create a vast economic corridor, contributing to the overall economic development of the state, creating employment opportunities for the youth of the state.
2. a) Integration with the Agra-Lucknow Expressway and Yamuna Expressway will ensure seamless intra state travel; b) Improved road connectivity boosts tourism in Varanasi, Ayodhya, and other cultural hubs; c) It enhances connectivity to emerging industrial hubs in Gorakhpur attracting new industries and manufacturing units.
3. a) As an access-controlled expressway, it will ensure faster travel, reduce fuel consumption and pollution, and enhance road safety by minimizing accidents; b) the expressway corridor can support the development of solar and wind energy projects, utilizing available land and infrastructure to promote sustainable energy solutions.
4. a) It will facilitate quick troop and logistics movement from critical military bases in the region (Gorakhpur air base) strengthening defense preparedness; b) the expressway is likely to spur urbanization, leading to creation of new townships and infrastructure development along its way.
5. a) MSMEs in the region will have improved access to raw materials and key consumer markets (Delhi-NCR, Lucknow); b) farmers will likely benefit from better market access and quicker transportation, boosting agribusiness and rural economy.
6. a) Faster connectivity ensures quicker access to advanced medical facilities (KGMU-Lucknow, PGI- Saifiai, AIIMS-Delhi) reducing critical response time during emergencies; b) it will drive demand for residential and commercial properties along its route, leading to the expansion of real estate and affordable housing projects.

Thus, the expressway is set to be a transformative infrastructure project, driving economic progress, regional integration, and infrastructure development in Uttar Pradesh to realize the vision of SDG 9( Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).