The Ghazipur-Ballia Link Expressway is a proposed road project that will join Ballia, in eastern Uttar Pradesh, with the Purvanchal Expressway. With an estimated cost of Rs 1,600 crore, the 35-km expressway would boost connectivity in eastern UP, a comparatively under-developed area in the state. The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority will be responsible for overseeing the construction work.
Ballia Link Expressway: Key facts
| Estimated cost | Rs 1,600 crore |
| Length | 35 km |
| Lanes | 6 |
| Owner | Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority |
| Project Model | Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) |
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| Nearest railway station | Karimuddinpur (0.6 km) |
| Nearest airport | Lal Bahadur Shastri Internation Airport, Varanasi (100 km) |
| Nearest city centre | Ghazipur (10 km) |
Ballia Link Expressway: Approval and inauguration
About 10 km from the Ballia city centre, the Ballia Link Expressway project was launched in May 2015 as the Lucknow-Azamgarh-Ballia Expressway. However, its name was changed to Ballia Link Expressway. The project was approved by the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on December 10, 2019. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on February 28, 2023, inaugurated the Ballia Link Expressway project.
Ballia Link Expressway: Route map
The 35-km road project will connect Gazipur with Ballia. The road project is likely to cover the following 16 villages:
- Badhwalia
- Shahapur
- Lakda
- Avgilwa
- Hardarpur
- Bankapur
- Tikri
- Sareh-Ijra
- Basaratpur
- Sultanpur
- Rasda
- Kotwari
- Kuruchanda Singhpur
- Pura Ekouni
- Ekouni
- Teekha
Impact on connectivity and real estate
Upon completion, the Ballia Link Expressway will boost connectivity between UP and Bihar and reduce the distance between the eastern cities of UP, Lucknow and Delhi. The improved connectivity will significantly reduce the travel time from east UP to Patna, Chhapra, Buxar, Lucknow, Noida and Delhi.
According to Gadkari, “Ballia to Buxar can be reached in half an hour, Ballia to Chhapra in one hour and Ballia to Patna in one and half hour…It would be possible to reach Patna from Lucknow through Purvanchal Expressway in just four-and-a-half hours with the construction of Ballia Link Expressway.”
The greenfield expressway will curtail the travel time and boost the economy in the region, he added. The expressway will enable vegetables produced by Ballia farmers to reach the mandis of Lucknow, Patna and Varanasi, boosting trade and socio-economic development in the state.
Conclusion
The Ballia Link Expressway would be a catalyst for socio-economic changes in less-developed areas of eastern UP by offering improved accessibility, reduced travel times and increased economic opportunities. As the project unfolds, it holds the potential to reshape the landscape of eastern UP, unlocking new avenues for progress and prosperity in the region. The project would make property in this region more lucrative. Land rates in areas adjoining the road project would see tremendous appreciation.
FAQs
What will be the length of the Balia Link Expressway?
The length of the upcoming Balia Link Expressway will be 35 km.
What will be the cost of the Balia Link Expressway?
The Balia Link Expressway will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,600 crore.
When was the Balia Link Expressway approved?
The Balia Link Expressway was approved by the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on December 10, 2019.
When was the Balia Link Expressway inaugurated?
The Balia Link Expressway was inaugurated on February 28, 2023.
Who is the owner of the Balia Link Expressway?
The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority is the owner of the Balia Link Expressway.
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