NHAI Sanctions ₹442.61 Crore Flyover & 7 Underpasses on Lucknow-Ayodhya Highway

In a massive infrastructure breakthrough aimed at ensuring seamless, accident-free transit between Uttar Pradesh’s state capital and the temple city of Ayodhya, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) headquarters has sanctioned an engineering overhaul worth ₹442.61 crore. The comprehensive highway modernization project involves constructing one major elevated flyover alongside seven specialized grade-separated vehicular underpasses along the bustling national highway corridor. With commuter density surging exponentially following the consecration and expansion of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, this capital project directly addresses recurring choke points, dangerous surface crossings, and prolonged festive traffic bottlenecks across the Lucknow–Barabanki–Ayodhya stretch.

End to Bottlenecks: Major Infrastructure Works Rolling Out Post-Diwali

The expressway-standard upgrades have received final institutional clearances, with physical groundwork slated to commence immediately following Diwali celebrations:

• Strategic Religious & Commercial Corridor: The Lucknow-Ayodhya Highway serves as a vital economic lifeline connecting central Uttar Pradesh to eastern districts, witnessing heavy daily passenger car movement, inter-district bus fleets, and heavy commercial freight.

• Massive Pilgrim Influx: Since the opening of the grand Ram Temple, tourist footfall and devotee convoys heading toward Ayodhya have multiplied manifold, making multi-level grade separation critical to avoid severe vehicular gridlock.

• Key Strategic Locations Identified: The seven dedicated underpasses will be erected at high-density intersections including Dadra, Bhitaria, Ranimau, Kudasadat, Bhelsar, Satti Chauraha, and Arkuna, while a mega elevated flyover will be constructed at Safedabad in Barabanki.

Innovative Engineering Design: Dedicated 4-Lane Straight Underpasses & Dual U-Turn Boxes

To prevent weaving traffic and eliminate side-collision hazards during intersection crossings, NHAI civil engineers have deployed an innovative box-culvert design blueprint:

• Segregated Grade Separation: The structural design strictly separates high-speed through-traffic from local turning commuters, preventing traditional bottlenecking at intersection points.

• Four-Lane Straight Underground Box: Through-traffic proceeding directly along the highway will utilize a large underground structure measuring 30 meters in length and 45 meters in width, accommodating four full lanes of uninterrupted transit.

• Dedicated Dual U-Turn Boxes: Local vehicles executing U-turns will utilize independent 15-meter-long structural boxes constructed on the flanking left and right sides, completely removing turning maneuvers from the primary carriageway.

• Uniform Structural Standard: All seven identified underpass junctions along the national corridor will be built following this uniform dual-box engineering standard.

Cost Breakdown: Budget Allocation for Safedabad Flyover and Underpass Nodes

The NHAI has earmarked distinct budgetary allocations across all eight key intersection projects:

• Safedabad Flyover (Barabanki): ₹75.93 crore allocated for the construction of the elevated corridor.

• Khuda Sadat Underpass: ₹70.96 crore earmarked for comprehensive junction redesign.

• Bhelsar Intersection Underpass: ₹60.93 crore sanctioned for structural construction.

• Bhitaria Junction Underpass: ₹60.09 crore designated for the vehicular subway.

• Satti Bazaar Square Underpass: ₹58.85 crore allocated for construction works.

• Ranimau Intersection Underpass: ₹44.69 crore earmarked for grade separation.

• Arkuna Highway Underpass: ₹38.33 crore approved for junction execution.

• Dadra Crossing Underpass: ₹32.83 crore sanctioned to eliminate intersection delays.