LUCKNOW, July 14 -- Uttar Pradesh's road infrastructure is set for another major expansion with the Centre and the state government agreeing to fast-track a series of strategic national highways and connectivity projects that will strengthen links from Ayodhya to Jewar, Sonauli to Prayagraj and western Uttar Pradesh to the eastern region, while also boosting religious tourism and industrial growth. Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said developing world-class road connectivity in UP was among the Centre's top priorities, while chief minister Yogi Adityanath asserted that the state's expanding highway network would accelerate investment, industry, tourism and employment. "Developing world-class road connectivity in UP is our priority. The state has emerged as a major engine of the country's economic growth," Gadkari said, directing officials to expedite land acquisition, forest clearances and other statutory approvals to ensure timely completion of projects. "Equal attention should be paid to reducing accidents along with road construction. Every national highway project should incorporate safe design, scientific improvement of black spots, modern signage and strict adherence to safety standards," he emphasised. The remarks came during a review meeting of major national highway and road infrastructure projects in the state. It was attended by senior officials of the ministry of road transport and highways, the NHAI and the UP government, according to an official statement. Since 2014, 10,204 km of National Highway projects have been awarded, while 9,329 km have already been completed. Between April 2025 and May 2026 alone, 606 km of new projects were sanctioned and 1,010 km completed. The Centre has invested nearly Rs.1.94 lakh crore in National Highway projects across UP, including Rs.23,445 crore during 2025-26. "The positive impact of Centre-state coordination is clearly visible on the ground," Gadkari said. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath said modern road infrastructure forms the backbone of a developed UP and will become the biggest catalyst for investment, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and employment. "Better connectivity also creates new opportunities for industries, trade, logistics and regional development, helping UP move towards becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy," he added. The meeting reviewed several ongoing and proposed projects, including the Mathura-Bareilly-Sitarganj four-lane highway, Agra-Aligarh four-lane project, Agra-Gwalior-Jhansi-Nagpur Economic Corridor, Kanpur Ring Road, the six-lane connectivity project to Noida International Airport at Jewar, Moradabad-Kashipur highway, Ayodhya Ring Road, Ram Van Gaman Marg, Ram Janaki Marg and the proposed 742-km Shamli-Gorakhpur access-controlled corridor.Special emphasis was laid on road projects linked to religious and cultural tourism. Officials informed the meeting that work is progressing on the Ram Van Gaman Marg, Ram Janaki Marg and 84 Kosi Parikrama Marg, which will provide seamless connectivity to Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Prayagraj, Kaushambi and Janakpur in Nepal. Officials also reviewed the Sonauli-Gorakhpur four-lane project, the Ghazipur-Ballia-Bihar border highway, the Prayagraj Southern Ring Road and the Prayagraj-Jaunpur-Azamgarh-Doharighat corridor....