Prayagraj: In a major infrastructural push aimed at accommodating the surge in religious tourism, the Uttar Pradesh government has granted approval for the construction of a six-lane Greenfield Access Control Expressway between Prayagraj and Ayodhya. This state-of-the-art expressway will connect two of the state’s most significant spiritual hubs, Prayagraj and Ayodhya, while also benefiting Pratapgarh residents.
Expressway Highlights and Specifications
- Length & Width: Spanning 167 kilometers, the Prayagraj-Ayodhya Expressway will feature a width of 38 meters, including a two-meter folder and a 15-meter carriageway on both sides.
- Travel Time: This expressway aims to cut down the current travel time between Ayodhya and Prayagraj from 4 hours to just 2.5–3 hours, significantly enhancing convenience for pilgrims.
- Construction Budget: The project is backed by an estimated budget of ₹5,000 crore, which includes compensation for land acquisition from farmers.
- Highway Features: To ensure safety and efficiency, restricted iron girders will line both sides of the road to prevent livestock entry. Service roads will also be constructed for local access.
Advanced Design and Facilities
The expressway will be built in two phases:
- Katka to Gonde Hamlet (Sonawaan)
- Katka to Bharat Kund Parikrama Marg near Ayodhya
Other key infrastructural features include:
- Six Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and multiple bridges.
- An 18-meter-high six-lane flyover at the Purvanchal Expressway crossing.
- A six-lane bridge over the Gomti River.
- Additional bridges on critical locations like the Lucknow-Varanasi rail section.
In a first, small cars, tractors, and three-wheelers will be prohibited from using the expressway, ensuring uninterrupted high-speed connectivity.
Parallel Routes and Accessibility
The new expressway will run parallel to the existing road, which currently consists of two lanes from Ayodhya to Pratapgarh and four lanes from Pratapgarh to Prayagraj.
Religious and Economic Significance
With a projected influx of millions of devotees visiting the spiritual towns of Prayagraj and Ayodhya, this expressway is poised to become a game-changer. It will allow pilgrims to visit both holy towns in a single day, catering to domestic and international visitors alike.
The economic benefits extend beyond tourism, as the improved connectivity will boost trade and local economies in the region. As Uttar Pradesh continues its transformation into a global religious tourism hub, this expressway exemplifies the state’s commitment to blending heritage with modern infrastructure.
The Prayagraj-Ayodhya Expressway is not just a road; it’s a path to spiritual accessibility and economic growth, reflecting Uttar Pradesh’s vision for the future.
