On July 16, 2022, prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 296-km-long Bundelkhand Expressway at Katheri village in Jalaun district. The Bundelkhand Expressway is a four-lane controlled-access highway linking the backward regions in the state, to the national capital. It will pass through Uttar Pradesh’s Chitrakoot, Banda, Hamirpur and Jalaun districts and link the Bundelkhand region to Delhi through the Agra-Lucknow Expressway and the Yamuna Expressway.
Prime minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the expressway project on February 29, 2020. Earlier, the completion date for the Bundelkhand expressway was set as January 14, 2023. The project has been completed before the schedule, in just 27 months.
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The Bundelkhand expressway will be connected to the Agra-Lucknow expressway and Yamuna expressway. It will reduce the travel time from Chitrakoot in UP’s Bundelkhand region to Delhi from 12 hours to about 5-6 hours, while pushing growth and economy of the most backward regions of the state.
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Bundelkhand expressway: Quick facts
| Bundelkhand expressway route | Gonda village in Chitrakoot district with Kudrail village on Agra – Lucknow Expressway in Etawah district |
| Starting point | Bharatkoop at Jhansi-Prayagraj National Highway Number 35 in Chitrakoot district |
| Ending point | Kudrail village in Etawah district on Agra Lucknow expressway |
| Distance | 296 kilometres |
| Cost | Around 15,000 crore |
| Project packages | The project has been divided into six packages |
| Project implementation | Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Mode |
| Project status | Completed. Inaugurated on July 16, 2022 |
| Expressway lane | Four lane, expandable to six lane |
| Districts covered | Chitrakoot, Banda, Mohaba, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Auraiya and Etawah |
| Owner | Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) |
Bundelkhand Expressway route
The Bundelkhand express highway is connected through smooth traffic corridor with Delhi and NCR via Agra- Lucknow expressway and Yamuna expressway. As per the route map of Bundelkhand expressway, greenfield, Bundelkhand expressway road starts near Bharatkoop in Chitrakoot district and merge with Agra- Lucknow expressway near Kudrail village in Etawah district.
The Bundelkhand expressway route covers districts such as Chitrakoot, Banda, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Auraiya and Etawah.
Furthermore, major rivers such as Ken, Betwa, Yamuna, Bagen, Chandrawal, Birma and Sengar flows near the route of Bundelkhand expressway.
The Bundelkhand expressway route from Kudrail village in Etawah to Chitrakoot Dham will cover the following areas:
- East of Bharthana town in Etawah
- West of Phaphund in Auraiya district
- West of Auraiya in Auraiya district
- West of Jalaun in Jalaun district
- Southwest of Orai in Jalaun district
- North of Rath in Hamirpur district
- South of Maudaha in Hamirpur district
- North of Banda in Banda district
- Northeast of Atarra in Banda district
Bundelkhand Expressway route map
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Expressway project details
The project started off in late 2019 with a vision to complete it over the next 30 months.
The Bundelkhand expressway route starts near Bharatkoop at the Jhansi-Prayagraj National Highway Number 35 in Chitrakoot district. It connects near Kudrail village in Etawah district on the Agra-Lucknow expressway.
It will cross major rivers along the route namely Bagen, Ken, Shyama, Chandawal, Birma, Betwa, Yamuna, and Sengar.
The expressway project includes four Railway Over Bridges, 14 large bridges, six toll plazas, seven Ramp Plaza, 266 small bridges, and 18 flyovers.
Use of technology in construction of the expressway
Special technology has been used in the construction of the bridge. The UPEIDA chief engineer claims that the ribs have been created over thermoplastic linings on roadsides. This will alert the driver about his vehicle sliding off the road. This safety measure is entirely different from ones that were used in Agra and Poorvanchal.
Real estate impact of Bundelkhand Expressway
Enhanced connectivity
The Expressway will reduce the travel time between New Delhi and Chitrakoot to six hours. The expressway starts from Jhansi and passes through the state’s most backward districts like Chitrakoot, which is also a religious and tourist spot, Banda, Hamirpur, Auraiya and Jalaun. From Jalaun, it goes to Etawah and reaches Naseempur via Bateshwar in Agra, before joining the Agra-Lucknow Expressway.
Economic growth
The development of the Bundelkhand Expressway will lead to economic growth especially in the most backward regions. It will also give a push to the agriculture, commerce, industrial and tourism sectors. There are plans to develop industrial corridor along the route of the Bundelkhand expressway for encouraging investments around the region. Several manufacturing units, development centers, and agricultural productive areas will be linked with the national capital. Entrepreneurs will be able to set up industrial training and educational institutes, and medical institutes in the area.
Industries such as handloom, food processing, dairy, storage, and traditional medium and small-scale industrial units in the Bundelkhand region will also receive the much-need thrust.
Job opportunities galore, push to Make In India
The project has been built at a cost of Rs 15,000 crores and is expected to change people’s lives in the entire region. Laying the foundation stone of the project, PM Modi said that the expressway would facilitate better connection between the region and facilities in bigger cities, as thousands of residents would be able to move smoothly for better job opportunities.
With the expressway backing its growth, Bundelkhand is also en route to becoming a big centre of the ‘Make In India’ project with goods manufactured herein being used for exports. In due course of time, smaller industries too are expected to thrive. Last year’s budget also had provisions for funds to the tune of Rs 3,700 crores that was allotted for the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor. The Expressway will be supplementing the nodes of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor announced by the central government in February 2018.
Boost to new property developments
The development of the expressway project significantly increased the real estate growth potential in the region. Owing to the location advantages, several localities along the corridor have witnessed an increased demand and growth of commercial spaces, restaurants, shops, hotels, petrol pumps, etc. Moreover, the region has attracted several developers looking to launch residential and commercial projects.
Increase in property prices
The completion of the expressway resulted in a growth in property prices in the region up to as high as 20%. The rental rates for properties with easy access to the expressway has remained high. This has benefited investors looking to earn substantial returns.
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Funding for the project
In 2019, Bank of Baroda sanctioned a loan of Rs 2,000 crores for the ambitious the expressway.
With this initiative, other banks would also be able to fast-track the loan proposals under their consideration and the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) would be able to attain expeditious financial closure of the loan of Rs 7,000 crores for this project. The Industrial Corridor and the Defence Corridor proposed by the state government alongside the expressway, will further add to the industrial and economic activities in this area.
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Expressway features
- The Bundelkhand expressway will be the state’s first Solar expressway. Solar panels will be installed on both sides along the route.
- Arrangements for water conservation have been made along the entire length and breadth of the expressway.
- Rainwater harvesting pits have been built at 500 metre along the route.
- The expressway will promote greenery.
- There will be facilities such as fuel filling stations, advanced traffic management system and several safety features.
Speed limit
The speed limit on the Bundelkhand expressway has been fixed at 80-120 kilometre per hour. Commuters travelling along the expressway route must adhere to this speed limit and safety guidelines to ensure safety of road users.
Toll charges
The toll fee on the Bundelkhand expressway will be levied based on the type of vehicle.
- Light motor vehicles: The toll for light four-wheelers such as jeeps, vans, cars, etc. will be Rs 620.
- Light commercial vehicles: Light commercial vehicles, mini-buses and lights goods vehicles will be charged Rs 990.
- Buses and trucks: The toll charges on buses and trucks will be charged Rs 1,995 for a trip.
- Heavy construction machines (HCM), EME or MAAV: This category of vehicles will be charged a toll fee of Rs 3,040.
- Large vehicles: This category of vehicles with seven or more wheels will be levied Rs 3,895.
Bundelkhand Expressway: Contact details
Bundelkhand Expressway is developed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA). The contact details of the authority are mentioned below:
Address: C-13, 2nd Floor, PARYATAN Bhawan, Vipin Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow-226010
Toll free number: 18001233127/ 18001233128
E-mail: ceo.eida_up@gov.in, dceo.eida_up@gov.in
FAQs
How many expressways have been built in Uttar Pradesh recently?
The 340-km-long Purvanchal Expressway, the 296-km-long Bundelkhand Expressway and the 91-km-long Gorakhpur Link Expressway are under construction. By 2022, the state government is expecting the completion.
Which are the existing expressways in Uttar Pradesh?
The Yamuna Expressway and the Lucknow-Agra Expressway are fully functional in Uttar Pradesh.
How long is Bundelkhand Expressway?
The Bundelkhand Expressway is a four-lane expressway which is 296 km-long.
What are the routes of Bundelkhand Expressway?
The northern terminal of the Bundelkhand Expressway starts from the Agra – Lucknow Expressway in Etawah District and covers several districts such as Auraiya, Jalaun, Hamirpr, Mahoba, Banda and Chitrakoot.
How many rivers are there along the route of Bundelkhand Expressway?
The Bundelkhand Expressway covers major districts such as Bagen, Shyama, Ken, Chandawal, Birma, Betwa, Yamuna and Sengar.
What is the toll price on the Bundelkhand Expressway?
According to the official toll fee structure, Rs 620 will be charged for four-wheeler vehicles for a single trip and Rs 993 for a return trip within 24 hours. Light commercial vehicles and mini-buses will be charged Rs 990 for a single trip. Buses and trucks will have to pay Rs 1,995 for a trip. additional charges will be levied on multi-axle vehicles, trailers and earth movers.
How far is Chitrakoot from Delhi by Bundelkhand Expressway?
The Bundelkhand expressway will enable commuters to cover the distance from Chitrakoot to Delhi in around six hours.
Does Chitrakoot come under Bundelkhand?
Chitrakoot district is one of the Uttar Pradesh districts, which is located in the Bundelkhand region.
Is Bundelkhand Expressway open for public?
The 296-km Bundelkhand expressway is operational. The project was inaugurated on July 16, 2022.
How many expressways are there in India?
India has around 44 expressways. The total length of expressways in India is 4,901 km.
(With inputs from Sneha Sharon Mammen)
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