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The journey between the historic city of Lucknow and the industrial hub of Kanpur is about to become significantly faster. The much-anticipated Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway is now fully operational. However, this high-speed route comes with a hefty toll increase, as travelers will need to pay three times more than the previous highway tolls. What used to take three hours will now be completed in just 45 minutes.

Toll Details

To facilitate travel on the expressway, four toll plazas have been established. For those traveling by car, the one-way toll will be ₹275, while a return trip within 24 hours will cost ₹415. In contrast, the toll on the old NH-27 (Nawabganj Toll) is only ₹95, indicating a significant increase in costs for the added convenience.

Locations of Toll Plazas

Here are the locations of the toll plazas:

• Shivpur (near Harouni-Junabganj road)


• Bani


• Amarsas


• Azaad Chauraha (near Ganga Bridge)

Unique Features of the Expressway

Spanning approximately 63 kilometers, this expressway includes an 18-kilometer elevated section supported by pillars. A notable feature is its connection to the Lucknow Outer Ring Road, allowing travelers heading to Raebareli, Sitapur, or Sultanpur from Kanpur to bypass the traffic congestion in Lucknow. The expressway is fully access-controlled, with a speed limit set at 120 km/h, and currently permits only cars and vans, prohibiting motorcycles.

Advanced Surveillance Systems

In terms of safety, the expressway is equipped with cutting-edge technology. Powerful cameras are installed every kilometer, with a range of 500 meters. Additionally, 16 Video Incident Detection System (VIDS) cameras are in place to alert the control room in case of accidents, fires, or halted vehicles. There are also 21 specialized cameras at interchanges to monitor vehicles coming from the wrong direction.

Challenges During Construction

The construction of the expressway faced significant delays, particularly near Banthra, where a 132,000-volt high-tension line had to be relocated. Special monopoles were imported from Hyderabad for this purpose, and only after successful testing could the construction be completed.

Facilities and Interchanges

The expressway features six interchanges (Shaheed Path, Bani, Harouni, Ajgain, Amarsas, and Azaad Chowk). For traveler convenience, fuel stations, restaurants, and parking areas have been designated along the route. A trauma center will also be established near the toll plaza to provide immediate medical assistance in emergencies. The official inauguration is expected next month, although locals have already begun using parts of the expressway.