Uttar Pradesh Infrastructure Roadmap Unveiled at RAHSTA Expo
On 9 July 2026 in Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh presented an ambitious infrastructure‑led growth strategy during Day 2 of the 16th RAHSTA Expo, Asia’s largest road exhibition. The keynote was delivered by Srihari Pratap Shahi, IAS, Additional Chief Executive Officer of the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA). He outlined a vision of integrating world‑class expressways with industrial development to accelerate manufacturing, logistics and regional economic growth.
Deeksha Jain, IAS, Additional Chief Executive Officer of the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA), detailed the state’s industrial push, noting a near‑15 % annual growth rate in manufacturing and steady export expansion. She announced that Uttar Pradesh now has 22 expressways at various planning and development stages, of which nine are already operational, and highlighted the presence of five international airports, dedicated freight corridors, an extensive industrial land bank and one of India’s largest MSME ecosystems.
UPSIDA has developed 167 industrial areas across the state, holds over 5,000 acres of readily allottable land and is creating an 8,000‑acre pipeline for future industrial development. 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 single‑window clearance.
Mridul Dubey, Chief General Manager (Finance) of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), presented the next phase of India’s highway strategy. For FY 2026‑27, NHAI aims to award projects covering 4,000 km and construct 5,000 km of highways, leveraging comprehensive project preparation, digital planning tools and integrated development under the PM Gati Shakti framework. He emphasized the adoption of advanced technologies such as drone surveys, AI‑enabled traffic‑management systems, digital inspections and Multi‑Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling. FASTag, he noted, has already cut average toll‑waiting time by nearly 90 % while generating valuable mobility data.
Financing for the highway expansion will rely on asset monetisation through Toll‑Operate‑Transfer (TOT) projects, Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and project‑specific financing models, enabling capital recycling for new highway development.
The expo, organised by ASAPP Info Global Group, showcased a wide range of solutions, products, technologies, materials and equipment for the road ecosystem. Founder Pratap Padode expressed satisfaction with the event’s success, citing the group’s 30‑year sector experience and strong contractor relationships as key drivers of exhibitor and sponsor returns. The 17th edition of RAHSTA Expo is scheduled for 20‑22 May 2027 in Mumbai.