In addition, according to the state government, the expressway would be built on a raised embankment. This embankment would also act as a flood control measure against the frequent floods on the left bank of the Ganga River.
The ambitious Rs 40,000 crore project was to be built by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), the state government agency in charge of expressways, in collaboration with the concessionaire Jaypee Associates in the Public Private Partnership model.
However In 2009, the Allahabad High court restrained the state government from starting the project. It was asked to obtain an environmental clearance from the Central government as the road was to be built on the ecologically sensitive Ganga flood plains. Work on the expressway was held up due to the lack of environmental clearance. Later, farmer's agitations against land acquisitions on the route of the expressway held up the project and the work has not yet started though it was to begin four years ago in 2008.
The recently elected new Chief Minister of UP Akhilesh Yadav now plans to revive the project.
Last Updated on: January 23, 2023
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