New four-lane highway approved in eastern Uttar Pradesh

The central government has approved a new four-lane highway project in eastern Uttar Pradesh, aimed at improving connectivity between Sikandarpur and Ballia. The proposed road, spanning nearly 34 kilometres, will be developed under National Highway 727B and is expected to bring major relief to daily commuters, commercial vehicle operators, and local residents.

The approval has been granted by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. With the clearance in place, the next phase will involve detailed surveys and preparation of the Detailed Project Report. Construction work is expected to begin after these initial processes are completed.

At present, the Sikandarpur–Ballia stretch is a two-lane road struggling to handle heavy traffic volumes. Buses, trucks, two-wheelers, and local vehicles often move at slow speeds, leading to frequent traffic jams, particularly during peak hours. Covering the 34 km distance currently takes between one-and-a-half to two hours, while narrow road conditions have also contributed to a higher risk of accidents.

Once upgraded to four lanes, the road is expected to significantly reduce travel time, improve traffic flow, and enhance overall road safety. The wider carriageway will allow smoother movement of heavy vehicles, offering much-needed ease for truck drivers, loaders, and transport operators who rely on this route for goods movement.

The project addresses a long-standing demand from the region. While road widening work has already been underway from Nawalpur to Sikandarpur, the stretch connecting Sikandarpur to Ballia had remained unchanged for years. Ballia Member of Parliament Ramashankar Rajbhar had repeatedly raised the issue with the Centre, following which the proposal gained momentum and was finally approved.

Beyond Ballia, the four-lane road is expected to improve connectivity with Gorakhpur and Deoria, making travel easier for people commuting for work, education, healthcare, and trade. To ease congestion within towns, bypass roads are also being planned near Khejuri, Kharsara, and Sukhpura. These bypasses will help divert heavy trucks away from populated areas, benefiting both local residents and long-haul drivers.

The project adds to the broader infrastructure push already underway in Purvanchal, where several new roads, flyovers, bridges, and improved rail and bus networks have been developed in recent years. Better highways are gradually strengthening links between smaller towns and major centres like Ballia and Gorakhpur.

Improved road connectivity is also expected to have a long-term impact on land and property values near the highway. Locals anticipate increased interest in commercial spaces, roadside businesses, and housing projects along the corridor.

With the approval now in place, residents, traders, and transport workers are hopeful that the new highway will ease daily travel challenges and support steady economic growth across eastern Uttar Pradesh.