NHAI fast tracks Rs. 1,500cr Ring Road Project

In order to ensure smooth movement of vehicular traffic in the Lucknow City, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is all set to start the construction work of the Lucknow's Outer Ring Road Project on September 16. The eight-lane 95-km road will pass through five national highways around Lucknow and will be constructed by NHAI, said Project Manager of NHAI, Shiva Shankar Patnala. Outer Ring Road will be an access control expressway, especially for the movement of heavy load and long-distance traffic. This will facilitate a smooth drive through all outer highways without interception of local traffic. But at the junction of two or more highways, NHAI will provide entry and exit lanes for local traffic. The project requires construction in seven phases. NHAI will first take-up construction of 30 km in two phases - from Sitapur Road to Deva Road and from Deva to Faizabad Road. This might take around two years while the entire project would get completed in around four years (subject to timely clearance of government funds and smooth acquisition of land). The total project cost to be borne by Centre and UP government is in the ratio of 90:10, he added.