In the eleventh hour, meticulous adjustments are being applied to the extensive eight-year-old outer ring road initiative spanning 104 kilometers. Its grand unveiling is scheduled for March, strategically just preceding the activation of the model code of conduct for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In anticipation of its imminent debut, HT embarked on a journey along the eight-lane quadruple-carriageway, spanning a considerable distance, offering insights into how this project is poised to revolutionize connectivity and alleviate congestion in the state capital and surrounding cities—a prospect that brings solace to the masses.
Initiating the test drive near the cloverleaf interchange adjacent to Kala Gaon crossing on the Ayodhya highway, the nearly 35-kilometer drive to Bakshi Ka Talab (BKT) unfolded seamlessly on the recently asphalted road.
Navigating the route, numerous flyovers were traversed, each accompanied by exit points leading to national and state highways, ensuring effortless ingress and egress from the city.
Between Chinhat and BKT, an example of this seamless connectivity is the Dewa-road exit accessible through the service lane. A right turn directs towards Dewa Road, while a left turn leads to Chinhat.
The subsequent exit, after covering 10 kilometers, unveils Behta (SH 172) to the south and Kursi, Mahmudabad, and Barabanki to the north. The journey remains smooth until the BKT crossing, with only a minor interruption between the BKT police outpost and Sarosa Bharosa crossing near Agra Expressway, where some construction still lingers. Ongoing construction activities persist at three locations: Kakrabad, Kasmandi, and the vicinity of Agra Expressway, including Hardoi road. Not surprisingly, this stretch bustles with construction equipment and heavy-duty vehicles.
In light of the ongoing construction-related challenges on certain segments, occasional detours were taken. The approximately 40-kilometer drive from Agra Expressway to Indira canal, spanning Kanpur Road in Sarojini Nagar (NH27), Bijnor, Banthara, Kalli Pashchim, Raebareli road (NH30), Nagram Road, to Sultanpur Highway (NH731), predominantly unfolded smoothly.
The conclusive segment of the test drive encompassed the 10-kilometer stretch from Indira canal to Chinhat, Kala Gaon Crossing. Here too, the journey continued without impediment until the exit at Faizabad road near Chinhat. Throughout this trajectory, road signs advocating safety measures, speed limits, and distances were prominent, accompanied by bike lanes on either side and drains flanking the road to prevent water stagnation.
This expansive road project, interconnecting five national highways and six state highways, was executed in phases—from BKT to Sultanpur Road, Behta Road, Sitapur Road, Kursi Road, Ayodhya Road, Indira Canal, Mohanlalganj, and Kanpur Road. Progressively, as one navigates, the lanes from both sides of the Indira canal converge at its terminus, leading towards Bakshi ka Talab. The NHAI has also erected six-foot overbridges and smaller connecting bridges for the convenience of pedestrians along the Kisan Path.
A seamless journey awaits the populace
This eight-lane circular route binding the city is adorned with radium signages, delineating distance, safety guidelines, speed limits, and directions for an untroubled commute.
Diligent labor persists in 12-hour shifts on sections requiring additional attention. This endeavor aims to ensure the readiness of the outer ring road project for commuters by March.
Currently, only three sections of the bridge are under construction—located at Bakshi ka Talab, near Agra Expressway, and a brief stretch ahead of Sultanpur Road. At various other points, roads and peripheries are undergoing painting, dividers are in the process of construction, and speed breakers are being installed.