There's great news for commuters in Uttar Pradesh! The Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway is finally set to open to the public on 13 July 2026, marking a major milestone in the state's infrastructure development. The new access-controlled expressway is expected to reduce travel time between Lucknow and Kanpur to just 45–60 minutes, compared to the current 1.5–2.5 hours, making intercity travel quicker, smoother, and more efficient.
The inauguration ceremony will be attended by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Governor Anandiben Patel. During the event, leaders are also expected to lay the foundation stone for a new four-lane flyover at the Engineering College intersection in Lucknow, further strengthening the city's road infrastructure.
The new expressway has been designed to offer a faster, safer, and congestion-free alternative to the existing highway. It is expected to transform travel for thousands of people who commute daily between Lucknow and Kanpur for work, education, healthcare, and business.
The corridor features modern infrastructure, including:
Six-lane access-controlled highway
Provision for future expansion to eight lanes
Flyovers and grade-separated interchanges
Major and minor bridges
Underpasses for local connectivity
CCTV surveillance and intelligent traffic systems
FASTag-enabled toll collection
Emergency response and monitoring facilities
These features will not only improve travel speed but also enhance road safety and driving comfort.
The Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway will feature four toll plazas along its 63-km route, ensuring smooth and efficient toll collection through the FASTag system.
According to the available project details, the expected toll charges are:
One-way toll for cars: Around ₹275
Return journey (completed within 24 hours): Around ₹415
Annual FASTag Pass users: Eligible commuters are expected to enjoy significantly lower toll charges under the government's annual FASTag pass scheme.
It's important to note that these are expected rates based on the current project details. The final toll fees and operational guidelines will be officially notified by the concerned authorities before the expressway opens for public use.
This modern tolling system is designed to minimize waiting times, promote cashless travel, and ensure a seamless driving experience for the thousands of commuters expected to use the expressway every day.
Whether you're commuting for work, heading out for a weekend getaway, or planning a business trip, travelling between Kanpur and Lucknow is about to become faster than ever.
Stay tuned with Kanpur Wants for more such updates.