The Uttar Pradesh government has highlighted major expansion in road and air connectivity over the past eight years, presenting it as part of its long-term development plan for 2047. According to official data and state reports, projects that had moved slowly before 2017 have since been accelerated, with expressways, highways and airports forming the focus of the infrastructure drive.
Road network expansion
Government records show that the length of rural roads built under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) rose from 51,549 km in 2013-14 to 56,846 km in 2016-17. Since 2017, the figure has climbed further to a projected 77,425 km by 2024-25, according to state figures.
The national highway network has also more than doubled over two decades, increasing from 5,599 km in 2004-05 to 12,292 km in 2023-24. Officials say the improvement has supported freight movement and cut logistics costs. Officials say this will strengthen the state’s position as India’s “expressway capital.”
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Expressways in focus
Until 2017, Uttar Pradesh had only three operational expressways. As per government data, the state now has a mix of 22 operational and under-construction corridors, including the Purvanchal Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway, Yamuna Expressway, Agra–Lucknow Expressway and the Gorakhpur Link Expressway. ]]
Several more are being built, such as the Ganga Expressway, Jewar Link Expressway, Vindhya Expressway, Chitrakoot Link Expressway and the Meerut–Haridwar Link Expressway. Authorities maintain these projects will strengthen connectivity within the state and with neighbouring regions.
Growth in air travel
The state currently has 12 domestic and 4 international airports, up from a limited network before 2017. Government data show passenger traffic, which grew by only 55 lakh over 17 years between 1999 and 2016, has risen by 82 lakh in the past eight years. According to state government estimates, annual passenger traffic in Uttar Pradesh could reach 1.42 crore by 2025.
The most high-profile project is the Jewar International Airport, which officials say will be among Asia’s largest once completed. It is also expected to serve as a cargo and passenger hub for the region.
Vision for 2047
The state government has announced plans for a north–south expressway corridor by 2030, along with transit hubs on the Nepal border and ropeways at tourist centres. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said the goal is that by 2047 each division of Uttar Pradesh will have its own airport. Plans also include “green” highways, cargo hubs, heliports and what officials describe as a modern aviation ecosystem.
