Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government has approved a ₹425.43 crore plan to develop 12 e-way hubs across the Purvanchal and Bundelkhand Expressways, aimed at enhancing commuter convenience through modern passenger facilities.
According to UPEIDA’s master plan, ₹299.18 crore will be spent on eight hubs along the Purvanchal Expressway, and ₹126.25 crore on four hubs in Bundelkhand. Facilities will include air-conditioned lounges, sensor-based washrooms, nursing rooms, and accessible infrastructure for persons with disabilities.
In Sultanpur and Banda, two major hubs will receive ₹40.72 crore and ₹30.82 crore respectively. Civil works alone will consume nearly ₹250 crore, while additional funds are earmarked for electricals, HVAC systems, and five-year maintenance.
Though touted as part of the government’s vision of transforming UP into an "Expressway State," critics question the prioritization of airport-like comfort in hubs when several rural regions lack reliable roads, public transport, or health infrastructure.
The state’s investment in luxury amenities reflects a growing trend of optics-driven infrastructure, with focus seemingly more on image than equitable development. While the hubs may offer a sleek experience for a select group of travelers, it remains to be seen whether such projects address broader, long-standing infrastructural gaps in Uttar Pradesh.
