Uttar Pradesh's first digital highway: Barabanki-Bahraich route to transform travel
Lucknow: The 101 km, four-lane highway connecting Barabanki to Bahraich is set to transform travel in Uttar Pradesh, becoming the state's first digital highway, according to recent reports.
The project, which will feature advanced technology and infrastructure, aims to provide safer journeys, faster deliveries, and an enhanced travel experience for commuters, reported The Economic Times.
A key innovation of the highway will be the installation of optical fibre cables alongside it, eliminating the need for future excavation.
To improve convenience and safety, the highway will be equipped with National Permit Register (NPR) cameras, new lighting systems, and continuous network connectivity.
The improved lighting will ensure safer night driving, while the digital infrastructure will promote faster travel and smoother traffic flow.
Surveys for the project have already begun under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), with construction set to start in March 2025.
The highway will link key locations such as Lucknow, Shravasti airport, NH-27, and the India-Nepal border as part of NH-927, bolstering regional connectivity and stimulating economic growth.
The existing two-lane road has faced heavy traffic, particularly following the construction of the Mahadeva Corridor, leading to frequent delays and the deteriorating condition of the Sanjay Setu bridge, which has contributed to a rise in accidents.
The four-lane expansion aims to address these issues and accommodate the 25,000 vehicles that use this route daily.
The Barabanki-Bahraich highway will feature optical fibre cables laid in a three-meter-wide duct, offering high-quality internet and mobile services. Businesses will be able to rent this equipment for a small fee, further improving digital connectivity in the region.
NHAI project director Saurabh Kanaujia highlighted the significance of this route as a digital corridor.
This project is part of NHAI’s broader initiative to develop 10,000 km of digital roads across India, with the Hyderabad-Bengaluru Corridor and the Delhi-Mumbai Motorway as key starting points.
Future projects could follow the Barabanki-Bahraich highway's model, incorporating advanced technologies into road infrastructure.
The new digital highway will benefit residents of Barabanki, Bahraich, Gonda, Balrampur, and visitors traveling to and from Nepal.
It marks the beginning of a new era in smart infrastructure development, easing traffic and improving road conditions, making travel in Uttar Pradesh safer, faster, and more efficient.
The Barabanki-Bahraich highway is a component of NHAI's ambitious initiative to build 10,000 kilometres of digital highways across India. Notable prior projects under this plan include the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Hyderabad-Bengaluru Corridor.
Approved by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, this highway, part of NH-927, will link crucial destinations such as Lucknow, Shravasti airport, NH-27, and the India-Nepal border.
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