Lucknow, October 16, 2025 – The eagerly anticipated Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway, a ₹4,700 crore, six-lane, access-controlled highway designed to revolutionize travel between the two major cities, may now face a delay beyond December 15. The primary reason for this delay is the slow relocation of a high-tension electricity line near Sarojini Nagar in Lucknow, which remains the final hurdle before the expressway can be inaugurated for public use.

Originally scheduled for inauguration on July 31, 2025, the expressway’s opening was postponed first to September and then to December 15 due to various logistical and infrastructural challenges. Project officials now warn that the unresolved relocation of the high-tension power line could push the opening to late December or even early January 2026. Colonel Sharad Singh, Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), stated, “As soon as the high-tension line is shifted, the expressway would be opened for traffic within a month after that.”

The Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway is being developed as a 63-kilometre corridor, of which 45.3 km runs through the Unnao district in an elevated segment. The six-lane highway has been designed for speeds of up to 120 km/h, which is expected to reduce the travel time between Lucknow and Kanpur from over two hours to just 45 minutes. Future plans also allow for expansion to eight lanes to accommodate rising traffic volumes in the region.

Construction work on most sections of the expressway has already been completed. The elevated Unnao segment, which covers 45.3 km, has been finalized according to schedule. Key bridges along the corridor, including the overpass at the Ganga Expressway near Nevarana and the railway overbridge at Korari, have been fully constructed. PNC Infratech, the primary construction agency, has completed all its assigned work and formally requested a no-objection certificate (NoC) from NHAI to allow the expressway to open for public traffic.

This week, NHAI officials are expected to conduct a final round of testing on the expressway. These inspections will assess the load-bearing capacity of bridges, road lighting, fencing, safety reflectors, signage, and solar-powered blinkers. Multiple inspections conducted earlier by technical teams confirmed that the expressway meets all safety requirements. However, the high-tension electricity line near Scooters India in Sarojini Nagar remains the only obstacle preventing the expressway from becoming fully operational.

The line relocation involves the installation of specially engineered poles capable of supporting the overhead electricity line at a height of 18 meters above the expressway. The poles are currently undergoing strength testing in Hapur to ensure they can safely accommodate high-voltage transmission without posing any risk to vehicles traveling at high speeds. Only after these poles are installed can the power line be shifted, clearing the final stretch of the expressway for inauguration.

Officials also highlighted that the expressway has been linked to regional infrastructure to improve connectivity. Two interchanges have been constructed in Unnao to facilitate smooth entry and exit for local traffic. Additionally, the expressway connects seamlessly with the Unnao-Lalganj and Lucknow-Kanpur highways, ensuring that vehicles can efficiently transition between city roads and the high-speed corridor.

The expressway project represents one of the largest infrastructure investments in the region, with a total cost of ₹4,700 crore. Beyond cutting travel times, it is expected to relieve congestion on existing arterial roads, reduce pollution caused by slow-moving traffic, and boost economic activity between Lucknow and Kanpur by enabling smoother movement of goods and commuters.

Despite the delay, construction teams remain optimistic that the final hurdles will be cleared soon. Sources within the project team indicated that all remaining work aside from the high-tension line relocation has been completed and that trial runs are expected by mid-December. If the line is relocated as planned, the expressway could still open to the public by the end of December 2025 or early January 2026, depending on the progress of final inspections and certifications.

The expressway is also designed with modern safety features, including high-quality fencing, clear lane markings, emergency lay-bys, and solar-powered lighting, to ensure smooth and secure travel. Officials have emphasized that public safety remains the highest priority, and no shortcuts will be taken in certifying the expressway before allowing vehicles to traverse it.

While the delay may be disappointing for commuters eager to use the expressway, experts note that infrastructure projects of this scale often face such last-mile challenges. Relocating high-tension lines is a complex task involving engineering precision, safety measures, and coordination with power authorities. In this case, Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) is overseeing the installation and testing of the new poles to ensure compliance with safety standards and prevent any disruptions to power supply or high-speed traffic.

The expressway’s strategic importance cannot be overstated. By providing a fast, high-capacity link between Lucknow and Kanpur, it is expected to catalyze industrial growth, promote tourism, and facilitate economic integration between two of Uttar Pradesh’s key urban centers. Once operational, the six-lane corridor will also serve as a model for future expressway projects across the state and country, combining elevated stretches, modern safety measures, and connectivity with existing road networks.

In conclusion, while the Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway faces a potential delay beyond December 15 due to the remaining high-tension line relocation, the overall project is largely complete and ready for final testing. Authorities remain committed to ensuring that the highway opens safely for public use, promising a state-of-the-art expressway that will significantly reduce travel times, enhance regional connectivity, and support economic growth in the heart of Uttar Pradesh.

Project at a Glance:

• Length: 63 km (45.3 km in Unnao)
• Cost: ₹4,700 crore
• Status: Construction complete; awaiting final NoC
• Key Delay: High-tension power line relocation near Sarojini Nagar
• Expected Launch: End of December 2025 or early January 2026