Lucknow: A major infrastructure boost for eastern Uttar Pradesh has been secured with the approval of the widening and four-laning of National Highway 128-B connecting Mau and Ballia. The 55.57-kilometre project has received official clearance following sustained efforts and advocacy by Uttar Pradesh Urban Development and Energy Minister A.K. Sharma.
Describing the approval as a landmark achievement for Purvanchal, Sharma said the project would significantly strengthen regional connectivity and accelerate economic development across Mau, Ballia, and adjoining districts. He termed the highway expansion a transformative initiative that would serve as a catalyst for growth in the region.
To ensure the project moves forward without delay, the minister has written to the Chairman of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), requesting the immediate initiation of the tendering process and commencement of construction work. In his communication, Sharma highlighted that he had consistently pursued the matter through correspondence and high-level discussions, reflecting the long-standing demand of local residents for the highway’s expansion.
According to the minister, the Mau–Ballia National Highway project is far more than a road development initiative. He said it will lay the foundation for stronger economic, social, and industrial progress across eastern Uttar Pradesh by improving mobility and connectivity between key urban and rural centres.
The proposed four-lane highway is expected to ease traffic congestion, reduce travel time, and significantly improve road safety for commuters. Enhanced transportation infrastructure is also expected to facilitate smoother movement of goods and services, boosting trade and commercial activity throughout the region.
The project includes the construction of several railway overbridges, which will help eliminate traffic bottlenecks and provide uninterrupted travel for motorists. Improved connectivity is expected to create new opportunities for investment, strengthen local markets, and support the region’s growing economic aspirations.
Sharma emphasized that farmers, traders, students, entrepreneurs, and daily commuters would be among the primary beneficiaries of the project. Better road infrastructure, he said, would improve access to markets, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and employment opportunities, thereby contributing to overall socio-economic development.
Calling the project a new chapter in the development story of Purvanchal, the minister expressed confidence that once completed, the four-lane highway would emerge as a key growth corridor for the region. He said the improved transport network would inject fresh momentum into economic activities and help position eastern Uttar Pradesh as a stronger hub for commerce and development.
The approval of the Mau–Ballia four-lane project is being viewed as a significant step toward modernizing transportation infrastructure and enhancing regional connectivity, with long-term benefits expected for both residents and businesses across Purvanchal.
