The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a ₹7,145.14 crore project to construct a 117.7-km access-controlled greenfield highway between Kanpur and Kabrai. The four-lane corridor, designed for future six-laning, will reduce travel time from 3.5 hours to 1.5 hours, strengthen connectivity under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, and generate nearly 1.2 crore person-days of employment.
Key Highlights
- CCEA approves ₹7,145.14 crore Kanpur-Kabrai greenfield highway under BOT (Toll) mode.
- The 117.7-km access-controlled corridor will cut travel time from 3.5 hours to 1.5 hours.
- The highway forms part of the Bhopal-Kanpur Economic Corridor under the National Highways Programme.
- The project is expected to generate nearly 1.2 crore person-days of employment during construction.
New Delhi, July 01: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a 117.7-km Kanpur-Kabrai access-controlled greenfield highway with an investment of ₹7,145.14 crore, providing a major boost to connectivity, logistics, and industrial development across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
The project will be implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT-Toll) model and includes the operation and maintenance of the existing Kanpur-Kabrai section of NH-34.
The new four-lane access-controlled highway, designed with structures that allow future expansion to six lanes, will form an important section of the Bhopal-Kanpur Economic Corridor under the National Highways Programme, strengthening regional connectivity and supporting economic growth.
Designed for operating speeds of 80-100 kmph, the new corridor will reduce travel time between Kanpur and Kabrai from approximately 3.5 hours to just 1.5 hours, significantly improving travel efficiency, road safety, freight movement, and reducing vehicle operating costs.
The project will provide seamless connectivity between Kanpur, Kabrai, Sagar, Bhopal, and other regions of Madhya Pradesh, creating a modern economic corridor linking the industrial and commercial hubs of Uttar Pradesh with the mineral-rich, manufacturing, and agricultural regions of Madhya Pradesh.
The corridor will also strengthen connectivity with major transport infrastructure, including NH-34, NH-35, the Bundelkhand Expressway, Kanpur Ring Road, and state highways SH-46, SH-91, SH-10B, and SH-42, improving integration with the regional highway network.
A key benefit of the project is enhanced access to the Kabrai mining belt, facilitating faster transportation of minerals, construction materials, industrial products, and agricultural produce. The improved logistics network is expected to strengthen supply chain resilience, reduce transportation costs, and support regional economic development.
Aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the highway will improve connectivity to 16 major economic nodes, including Unnao, Banther, Pankhi, Rania, Jainpur, Rooma, Chakeri, Sumerpur, Bhuragarh Industrial Areas, Trans Ganga Integrated Township, Growth Centre Jaipur, Kanpur Nagar Node, and Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., accelerating industrial investment and manufacturing activity.
The project is expected to carry an Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) of approximately 18,069 Passenger Car Units (PCUs) by FY2028, highlighting its strategic importance for future transportation demand.
In addition to improving regional infrastructure, the project will generate substantial employment during the construction phase. According to government estimates, it will create approximately 11,188 direct and 13,985 indirect person-days of employment per lane per kilometre, resulting in nearly 1.2 crore person-days of direct and indirect employment, providing a significant boost to local livelihoods and economic activity.
The project reflects the Government of India’s continued focus on developing high-speed economic corridors, improving logistics efficiency, and accelerating infrastructure-led economic growth under the PM GatiShakti initiative.
Conclusion
The approval of the ₹7,145.14 crore Kanpur-Kabrai Greenfield Highway represents a major investment in India’s highway infrastructure. By reducing travel time, improving freight movement, enhancing industrial connectivity, and generating nearly 1.2 crore person-days of employment, the project will play a crucial role in transforming Bundelkhand into a stronger logistics and manufacturing hub while advancing the objectives of PM GatiShakti and the National Highways Programme.
