The foundation stone of the Bundelkhand Expressway was established on 29th February 2020 in Gonda village, Chitrakoot by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The expressway is 296 km long, and four-lane wide (expandable up to 6 lanes). The project will connect the Bundelkhand area to Delhi via Agra-Lucknow and Yamuna expressways. In this article, we will discuss Complete Project Details of Bundelkhand Expressway.
Major Concern of Passing Bundelkhand Expressway Project
- The major concern of designing this project is to link less developed areas in Bundelkhand to the national capital.
- In this way, it will help in boosting tourism to Chitrakoot Dham.
- The Bundelkhand expressway project was launched by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath in April 2017.
- UPEIDA (Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority) has been tasked with developing the project with a total project value of around 14,850 crores.
- Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bundelkhand expressway on 16th July 2022 at Katheri village in Jalaun district.
What is the Route Of Bundelkhand Expressway?
- The expressway will start near Bharatkoop at Jhansi-Prayagraj National Highway Number-35 in the Chitrakoot district.
- The expressway will end near Kudrail village in Etawah district on the Agra-Lucknow expressway.
- The Bundelkhand expressway route from Etawah’s Kudrail village to Chitrakoot Dham would pass through the following regions:
- Auraiya district – West of Phaphund.
- Etawah – East of Bharthana town.
- Auraiya district – West of Auraiya.
- Jalaun district – West of Jalaun.
- Hamirpur district- North of Rath.
- Hamirpur district – South of Maudaha.
- Banda district – North of Banda.
- Banda district – Northeast of Atarra.
- Jalaun district – Southwest of Orai.
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Significance and Benefits for Other Districts from the Bundelkhand Expressway Project
The following districts will avail benefits from the Bundelkhand Expressway project.
- Jalaun
- Auraiya
- Etawah
- Chitrakoot
- Banda
- Mahoba
- Hamirpur
Highlights of the Bundelkhand Expressway Project
- Fourth expressway project in Uttar Pradesh.
- Total length: 296 Km.
- Width of ROW (Right of Way): 110 meters.
- 4 lanes (Expandable up to 6 lanes).
- Total access-controlled expressway.
- Underpasses for Vehicles, Pedestrians, and animals.
- Construction cost: Around Rs 14,850 crores (including the cost of Land).
- Completed in record 28 months – 8 months ahead of its deadline as per the government
- Rivers like the Betwa, Yamuna, Bagen, Ken, Chandrawal, Birma, and Sengar will run along the Bundelkhand expressway corridor.
- The expressway is built to be the safest four-lane expressway in India.
- Based on “Forgiving Roads” technology which minimizes accidents.
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Construction of Bundelkhand Expressway
- Project divided into 6 packages and awarded to four different contractors
- Will be implemented in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) modes
- Service road of 3.75 m width will run along one side of the expressway. This service road will provide easy transportation for the residents of nearby villages.
- The construction will include four railway-over-bridges 14 major bridges, 268 minor bridges, 18 flyovers, six toll plazas, seven ramp plazas, and 214 underpasses.
- Four private infrastructure majors, Apco Infratech, Ashoka Buildcon, Gawar Construction, and Dilip Buildcon are involved in the execution of the project.
- The Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats (ICT), a leading global consultancy organization, has been appointed as the Authority Engineer for the supervision of the expressway.
Recent controversies surrounding the Bundelkhand Expressway
A portion of the Bundelkhand Expressway caved in within five days of the expressway’s launch. On July 20, 2022, part of the expressway developed one-and-a-half-foot-deep potholes due to heavy rains at Chiriya Salempur in Jalaun District. The incident led to the collision of some vehicles. A team with bulldozers and necessary equipment was deployed by the authorities to repair the stretch and the affected portion was opened to traffic shortly.
What Technology and Advanced Features Utilized in Construction of Bundelkhand Expressway?
A special safety precaution was taken by using thermosoft plastic linings to build the road ribs.
This technology will inform the driver that his vehicle has veered off the road.
“Forgiving roads” technology used in the construction of the expressway is a concept that helps in avoiding or minimizing the harm and consequences of traffic accidents.
“Forgiving roads” employs a road design that redirects off-course motorists over the exit ways.
The 5E’s include Road Engineering, Vehicular Engineering, Road safety education, safety rules enforcement, and availability of emergency care.
Reflective tapes will be used on heavy vehicles.
How will the Bundelkhand Expressway impact the People of Uttar Pradesh?
1. Improving connectivity in the region, the expressway will cut the travel time from Delhi to Chitrakoot to nearly half of what it used to be.
2. Boost economic growth, thereby helping in the generation of thousands of jobs for the residents
Development has started in industrial areas in Banda and Jalaun districts which are near the expressway.
3. This expressway will link the Bundelkhand area with a fast and smooth traffic corridor through the Agra-Lucknow and Yamuna expressways.
4. Will aid in the establishment of Industrial Training Institutes, Teaching and Training Institutes, Medical Institutes, etc. in nearby areas.
5. Enable establishment of the Handloom industry, food processing units, Milk-based industries storages, and market.
6. As the expressway is access controlled, savings in consumption of fuel and control over pollution will also be possible.
7. The completion of the Bundelkhand Expressway will automatically boost the project of the Defence Industrial Corridor.
8. With the help of Bundelkhand expressway, Bundelkhand is about to become a major hub for the ‘Make in India’ initiative started by the Indian government as items made in the state are to be exported.
