Gorakhpur Link Expressway inaugurated, CM Yogi highlights UP’s transformation

Lucknow, Jun 20: Azamgarh, once known for its troubled past, is now being projected as a symbol of progress and development under the BJP-led double-engine government, according to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. On Friday, the Chief Minister inaugurated the 91.352 km Gorakhpur Link Expressway in Azamgarh, a project built at a cost of Rs 7,283 crore, linking key eastern districts including Gorakhpur, Azamgarh, Ambedkar Nagar, and Sant Kabir Nagar.

Positioned as a milestone in Uttar Pradesh’s infrastructure growth, the expressway is expected to enhance regional connectivity and facilitate smoother travel between Patna and Delhi. CM Yogi pointed out that prior to 2017, Uttar Pradesh had only two expressways, the Yamuna and an incomplete Agra-Lucknow route. Since then, the state has witnessed the rollout of major infrastructure projects including the 340 km Purvanchal Expressway, the 300 km Bundelkhand Expressway, and now the Gorakhpur Link Expressway.

Work is ongoing on six more expressways, notably the 600 km Ganga Expressway, the Lucknow–Kanpur Expressway, and the Ballia link. According to the Chief Minister, such projects have transformed Uttar Pradesh from a lagging ‘BIMARU’ state to one of national prominence in expressway infrastructure.

Highlighting progress, CM Yogi cited the reduced travel time on the Delhi–Meerut Expressway, from three hours to under 45 minutes, as an example of effective infrastructure development. He said that the Ganga Expressway is expected to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister by the end of the year, and asserted that by 2047, Uttar Pradesh would play a defining role in India’s journey as a developed and self-reliant nation.

The Chief Minister strongly criticised previous governments for what he described as poor infrastructure planning and alleged collusion with criminal elements. He claimed that earlier regimes neglected real development and contributed to a deteriorated law and order situation, turning Azamgarh into a symbol of fear.

He also pointed to several landmark religious and cultural projects such as the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi, Maa Vindhyavasini Dham, and the Prayagraj Mahakumbh, asserting that these initiatives have redefined Uttar Pradesh’s cultural identity. Similar developmental efforts are reportedly underway in Mathura–Vrindavan.

On education and healthcare, CM Yogi mentioned the establishment of Maharaja Suheldev University and a new Medical College in Azamgarh as pivotal for strengthening the district’s regional profile. He credited the recent recruitment of over 60,000 police personnel, including more than 12,000 women, as evidence of merit-based governance with no room for bribery or favoritism.

Reiterating his government’s focus on inclusive development, CM Yogi stated that new industrial clusters along expressways would provide local employment opportunities, preventing youth from needing to migrate for jobs. The Chief Minister said that infrastructure improvements, combined with targeted cultural and industrial initiatives, have helped uplift Azamgarh and integrate it into the broader developmental narrative of Uttar Pradesh. He concluded by noting that Azamgarh — once avoided for its reputation — is now earning recognition for its traditional crafts such as saris, black pottery, and Hariharpur’s musical heritage, and has become a part of Uttar Pradesh’s larger growth story.