Gorakhpur Link Expressway: Enhancing Connectivity and Growth in Eastern Uttar Pradesh

The Gorakhpur Link Expressway is set to be inaugurated on June 20, 2025, and is a large infrastructure project in Uttar Pradesh is of great strategic significance in its direction. While we can appreciate this expressway for its promised development and enhancement of connectivity between Gorakhpur and Azamgarh in the context of its link to the larger branch of the Purvanchal Expressway, this expressway is the location of significant gains. The total length of the project is 91.352 km and a full detailed description of the project will include aspects that assure this expressway will be a project of significance, increase economic activity, decrease travel times or costs, and lead to the growth of urban and industrial societies.

Let's look at the project in its totality, which includes the route, the features, and the expected socio-economic impact.

Project Overview: 

The Gorakhpur Link Expressway is a greenfield expressway started in 2018 by Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Construction began in 2019, with an initial expected project cost of ₹5,876.67 crore. With the increasing cost of land and construction, the cost of the project increased to ₹7,283 crore. 

This access-controlled expressway runs from Jaitpur, near Gorakhpur (NH-27), to Salarpur in Azamgarh, where the expressway ends at the Purvanchal Expressway. The design of the expressway improves connectivity but reduces congestion and provides travelers/residents with a pleasant travel experience.

Also Read: Top 10 Longest Expressways in India in 2025 – Connecting India’s Future

Key Features of the Gorakhpur Link Expressway

The expressway boasts a host of features that make it a game-changer for transportation and regional development:

1. Length and Design:

• Total length: 91.352 km.
• Carriageway: Four lanes (expandable to six lanes).
• ROW (Right of Way): 110 meters.
  

2. Infrastructure Highlights:

• Flyovers: 7 major flyovers.
• Bridges: 7 major and 27 minor bridges.
• Underpasses: 16 vehicular underpasses (VUPs), 50 small underpasses, and 35 pedestrian underpasses to ensure seamless movement for vehicles, animals, and people.
  

3. Travel Efficiency:

• Reduction in travel time between Gorakhpur and Lucknow to under five hours.
• Streamlined access to major cities like Delhi, Agra, and Varanasi.
  

4. Toll and Access Control:

• Two toll plazas and three ramp plazas for efficient toll management.
  

5. Eco-Friendly Design:

• Service roads on one side for village connectivity.
• Measures to minimize environmental impact through controlled vehicle movement.

Route and Connectivity: 

The expressway’s strategic alignment connects key districts in Uttar Pradesh, fostering economic and cultural exchange. Its route passes through:

1. Gorakhpur: The starting point and a vital hub for trade and commerce in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

2. Sant Kabir Nagar: Enhances connectivity to rural and semi-urban areas.

3. Ambedkar Nagar: Plays a critical role in linking local industries to larger markets.

4. Azamgarh: The endpoint, where the expressway integrates seamlessly with the Purvanchal Expressway.

This connectivity not only reduces travel times but also facilitates the movement of goods, boosting trade and commerce.

Phases of Construction and Implementation

The Gorakhpur Link Expressway project has been divided into two phases for efficient execution:

Phase 1: A 48.317 km stretch from Jaitpur to Fulwariya in Ambedkar Nagar, developed by APCO Infrastructure.

Phase 2: A 43.035 km stretch from Fulwariya to Salarpur in Azamgarh, implemented by Dilip Buildcon.

Both phases have been developed under the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) model to ensure timely completion and cost efficiency.

Economic Impact and Development Potential

The Gorakhpur Link Expressway is not only about transportation, it provides opportunities for economic and industry improvement. Here is the impact the expressway will have on the area:

Improving Local Economies:

• Increases trade opportunities for local businesses.
• Creates job during the construction and operations. 

Real Estate Growth:

• Increases the demand for residential and commercial real estate along the path of the expressway.
• New township developments, some industrial developments.

Industry Development:

• Provides opportunities for industrial corridors and logistics hubs.
• Agriculture-related businesses like cold chains, warehouses. 

Tourism/Culture:

• Improved access to cultural and historical sites in Gorakhpur and Azamgarh.
• Improved tourism potential for local attractions.

Also Read: Upper Ganga Canal (UGC) Expressway: Key Details and Real Estate Impact

Associated Projects: Plastic Park Initiative

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced the establishment of a Plastic Park in conjunction with the expressway in Gorakhpur. The Plastic Park is an initiative worth ₹69.58 crore and will comprise:

• A Skill Training Centre and Common Facility Centre to support the plastics industry.
• Facilities to support innovation and India's competitiveness in plastics manufacturing.

The Plastic Park is to be developed by the Plastic Park Scheme of the government, with a view to fostering job opportunities and industrialisation in the region.

Inauguration Ceremony and Future Prospects

The expressway’s inauguration will occur in two parts:

First Event: Salarpur in Azamgarh, highlighting its integration with the Purvanchal Expressway.

Second Event: Bhagwanpur Toll Plaza near Jaitpur in Gorakhpur, marking the project’s official launch.

Once operational, the Gorakhpur Link Expressway will cement Uttar Pradesh’s status as the only Indian state with eight operational expressways, setting a benchmark for other regions.

Conclusion: 

The Gorakhpur Link Expressway represents a leap forward in Uttar Pradesh’s infrastructure development. By connecting key districts and reducing travel time, it will enhance the lives of commuters, boost local economies, and drive industrial growth. With its modern design, strategic route, and associated projects like the Plastic Park, the expressway is poised to become a cornerstone of the region’s progress.

As it opens to the public, the Gorakhpur Link Expressway will not only facilitate efficient transportation but also unlock immense economic potential, ensuring a brighter future for eastern Uttar Pradesh.

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