Uttar Pradesh government has announced plans to develop a 700-km access-controlled expressway linking Gorakhpur in eastern UP to Panipat in Haryana.

The project aims to strengthen trade ties between the two states and provide safer, faster connectivity for commuters, including thousands of UP workers employed in Haryana’s industrial hubs. The four-to-six-lane expressway, expandable to eight lanes, will pass through Siddharthnagar, Balrampur, Shravasti, Lucknow, Sitapur, Bareilly, Moradabad, and other districts, many known for products under the ODOP scheme like Siddharthnagar’s Kalanamak rice.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is preparing the detailed project report (DPR), with construction expected to begin in 2026. Most of the expressway will be greenfield, and work will be divided into 50–70 km packages to ensure completion within two-and-a-half years. Officials said the project will prioritise minimal tree felling and improved road safety.