UP Cabinet Approves Six-Lane Corridor Linking Bundelkhand Expressway with Chitrakoot
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved a revised project proposal for development of the 15.172-kilometre Chitrakoot Link Expressway as a six-lane, access-controlled greenfield corridor under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model. The project has been approved at an estimated cost of ₹1,008.67 crore, with the entire expenditure proposed to be borne by the Uttar Pradesh Government without any central financial participation.
The proposed corridor is strategically designed to establish direct connectivity between the Bundelkhand Expressway network and Chitrakoot. The alignment is planned to commence near the Bundelkhand Expressway and connect with the National Highway-135BG in Chitrakoot district.
From a governance and infrastructure-planning perspective, the project represents an integrated connectivity intervention aimed at linking an existing high-capacity expressway network with a significant tourism and cultural destination. Improved access is expected to facilitate faster movement of passengers and strengthen regional mobility.
The Cabinet decision also indicates a structured project-execution framework with global bidding proposed for selection of the construction agency following approval. Such an EPC-based procurement architecture is intended to provide a defined institutional mechanism for project delivery, cost management and implementation accountability.
The expressway is expected to generate wider regional development effects by reducing travel friction between Bundelkhand and Chitrakoot. Enhanced accessibility can support tourism-linked economic activity, service-sector expansion and local commercial integration.
The project represents an infrastructure-led approach to reducing regional connectivity gaps while linking transport infrastructure with tourism, trade and local economic development.
The project therefore illustrates infrastructure governance centred on network connectivity rather than isolated road construction, aligning transport investment with regional development, tourism facilitation and improved territorial accessibility.
