RJ Kesari News Desk: After the Ganga Expressway and Purvanchal Expressway, the Uttar Pradesh Government is accelerating work on another ambitious infrastructure project—the Vindhya Expressway. The proposed 330-kilometre access-controlled corridor is expected to significantly improve connectivity across the Vindhya region while strengthening road links with Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.

The project will be developed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) at an estimated cost of ₹22,000 crore. Besides reducing travel time, the expressway is expected to support industrial growth, logistics, tourism, and regional economic development.

Expressway to Connect Prayagraj with Sonbhadra

The proposed expressway will begin from Judapur Dandu village in Soraon tehsil of Prayagraj and extend to Parsa Tola near the Chhattisgarh border in Sonbhadra district.

Once completed, it is expected to:

• Reduce travel time between Prayagraj and Rewa, Satna, and Sidhi by nearly half.
• Connect directly with the Ganga Expressway, making travel from Delhi-NCR to the Vindhya region considerably faster.
• Improve long-distance connectivity for both passenger and commercial traffic.

Land Acquisition Planned Across 73 Villages

Preparations for land acquisition are progressing rapidly along the proposed route.

According to officials, the expressway will pass through 73 villages in Prayagraj district, covering three tehsils:

• Soraon – 23 villages
• Phulpur – 24 villages
• Handia – 26 villages

Survey work has reportedly been completed in 45 villages, where land has already been identified.

UPEIDA has submitted the land acquisition proposal to the district administration. The next step involves verification of land records by the concerned tehsils, following which the official land acquisition notification is expected to be issued.

Designed for High-Speed Travel

The Vindhya Expressway will initially be developed as a six-lane access-controlled expressway, with provisions for expansion to eight lanes in the future.

The corridor is being designed for a maximum speed of 120 km/h, allowing faster and safer travel across eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Tunnels, Ganga Bridge and 107-km Link Road Included

The project includes several major engineering structures aimed at improving regional connectivity.

Key proposed features include:

• Tunnel construction through the hilly terrain of Sonbhadra.
• A major bridge across the Ganga River near Mirzapur.
• A 107-kilometre link road connecting Hamidpur village in Mirzapur to the terminal point of the Purvanchal Expressway in Ghazipur.
• Six interchanges for smooth traffic movement.
• Two Railway Over Bridges (ROBs).
• Fifty-six underpasses to improve local accessibility.

These additions are expected to enhance freight movement while reducing travel bottlenecks.

Major Boost for Five UP Districts and Four States

The expressway is expected to directly benefit several districts, including:

• Prayagraj
• Mirzapur
• Varanasi
• Chandauli
• Sonbhadra

Beyond Uttar Pradesh, the corridor will strengthen road connectivity with Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, making it an important interstate transport route.

Traders from Rewa, Satna, and Sidhi in Madhya Pradesh are also expected to benefit through faster access to markets in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Land Verification Underway

According to Additional District Magistrate (Finance & Revenue) Vinita Singh, UPEIDA has already submitted the proposal for land purchase.

The district administration is currently verifying land records, and the acquisition process is expected to begin after the verification and notification stages are completed.

Vindhya Expressway: Key Highlights

• Project Length: 330 km
• Estimated Cost: ₹22,000 crore
• Executing Agency: Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA)
• Initial Configuration: 6 lanes (expandable to 8 lanes)
• Design Speed: 120 km/h
• Route: Prayagraj to Sonbhadra
• Land Acquisition: Planned across 73 villages
• Major Structures: Tunnel, Ganga bridge, 107-km link road, 6 interchanges, 2 ROBs, and 56 underpasses
• Connectivity: Direct links with the Ganga Expressway and Purvanchal Expressway
• Regional Impact: Improved access for Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh