Uttar Pradesh’s Infrastructure‑Led Growth Roadmap
On the second day of the 16th RAHSTA Expo in Mumbai, senior officials outlined an ambitious plan to transform Uttar Pradesh into a premier investment destination through a combination of expressway expansion, industrial land development and technology‑driven project execution.
Srihari Pratap Shahi, IAS, Additional CEO of the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), highlighted that the state currently has 22 expressways at various stages of planning and development, of which nine are already operational. These corridors are intended to underpin new industrial ecosystems, improve logistics efficiency and attract large‑scale manufacturing investments.
Deeksha Jain, IAS, Additional CEO of the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA), emphasized that Uttar Pradesh is experiencing roughly 15 % annual growth in manufacturing and steady export expansion. UPSIDA has created 167 industrial areas across the state, maintains more than 5,000 acres of readily allottable land, and is establishing an additional 8,000‑acre pipeline for future industrial projects. The authority is adopting EPC‑based execution models, digital project monitoring, transparent online land‑allotment systems, third‑party quality audits, drone‑based monitoring and sustainable infrastructure practices. Sector‑specific clusters are being promoted in automobile manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, logistics and advanced manufacturing, supported by plug‑and‑play infrastructure and a single‑window clearance mechanism.
The expo, organized by ASAPP Info Global Group, showcased a wide range of road‑related products, technologies and equipment. Founder Pratap Padode noted that the 30‑year experience of the group and strong contractor relationships have been key to delivering value for exhibitors and sponsors.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Chief General Manager (Finance) Mridul Dubey presented the next phase of India’s highway development strategy. For FY 2026‑27, NHAI targets 4,000 km of project awards and 5,000 km of highway construction, supported by comprehensive project preparation, digital planning tools and integrated development under the PM Gati Shakti framework. Advanced technologies such as drone surveys, AI‑enabled traffic‑management systems, digital inspections and Multi‑Lane Free‑Flow (MLFF) tolling are being deployed to improve efficiency and user experience. FASTag has already reduced average toll‑waiting time by nearly 90 % while generating valuable mobility data for infrastructure planning. Financing for the expansion is being sourced through Toll‑Operate‑Transfer (TOT) projects, Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and project‑specific financing models, enabling capital recycling for new highway development.
The discussions reinforced the importance of integrating highways, industrial corridors, logistics infrastructure and digital technologies to create faster, safer and more sustainable transportation networks, thereby strengthening India’s manufacturing competitiveness.
The next edition of RAHSTA Expo will be held from 20‑22 May 2027 in Mumbai.