UP
plans 22 expressways, 8,000-acre industrial land pipeline; NHAI outlines
technology-driven future of Indian highways.
Mumbai,
9 July 2026: Uttar Pradesh’s ambitious infrastructure-led
growth strategy took centre stage on Day 2 of the 16th RAHSTA Expo, where
senior government officials outlined how expressways, industrial corridors and
technology-driven governance are transforming the state into one of India's
most attractive investment destinations.
Delivering
the keynote address, Srihari Pratap Shahi, IAS, Additional Chief Executive
Officer, Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA),
highlighted the state's long-term vision of integrating world-class expressways
with industrial development to accelerate manufacturing, logistics and regional
economic growth. He explained how Uttar Pradesh is leveraging its expanding
expressway network to create new industrial ecosystems, improve connectivity
and attract large-scale investments across sectors.
Speaking
on building industrial growth engines in UP, Deeksha Jain, IAS, Additional
Chief Executive Officer, Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority
(UPSIDA), said the state’s infrastructure push is backed by strong
manufacturing growth and investor-friendly policies.
“UP
is witnessing nearly 15 per cent annual growth in manufacturing, while exports
continue to expand steadily. Infrastructure has become the biggest catalyst
behind this transformation,” she said.
She
highlighted that Uttar Pradesh now has 22 expressways under various stages of
planning and development, with nine already operational, alongside five
international airports, dedicated freight corridors, an extensive industrial
land bank and one of India’s largest MSME ecosystems.
Emphasising
UPSIDA’s role in supporting industrialisation, Jain said the authority has
developed 167 industrial areas across the state, has over 5,000 acres of
readily allottable land, and is creating an 8,000-acre pipeline for future
industrial development. She noted that UPSIDA 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 to improve project delivery.
She
also highlighted the state’s focus on sector-specific industrial clusters,
including automobile manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, logistics and advanced
manufacturing, supported by plug-and-play infrastructure and investor
facilitation through single-window clearance systems.
Calling
for closer collaboration between government and industry, Jain said Uttar
Pradesh is committed to creating transparent, technology-enabled systems that
make investments faster, easier and more efficient.
Organised
by ASAPP Info Global Group, RAHSTA Expo, Asia’s largest road exhibition,
will host its 17th edition on May 20-22, 2027, in Mumbai.
Expressing satisfaction over the completion of the expo, Pratap Padode,
Founder, ASAPP Info Global Group, said, “We have been able to bring diverse
solutions with products, technologies, materials and equipment for the road
ecosystem and our 30-year experience in the sector and the relationships with
contractors has been one the key success factors in delivering returns for our
exhibitors and sponsors.”
Addressing
the conference, Mridul Dubey, Chief General Manager (Finance), National
Highways Authority of India (NHAI), outlined the next phase of India’s
highway development strategy centred on better planning, asset quality, digital
technologies and innovative financing.
He
said NHAI’s priorities for 2026-27 include 4,000 km of project awards and 5,000
km of highway construction, supported by comprehensive project preparation,
digital planning tools and integrated infrastructure development under the PM
Gati Shakti framework.
Dubey
noted that India’s highway sector is increasingly adopting advanced
technologies such as drone surveys, AI-enabled traffic management systems,
digital inspections and Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling to improve
efficiency and user experience. He added that FASTag has already reduced
average toll waiting time by nearly 90 per cent while generating valuable
mobility data for infrastructure planning.
Highlighting
the financing strategy for future highway expansion, Dubey said NHAI has
successfully leveraged 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
discussions during the conference reinforced the importance of integrating
highways, industrial corridors, logistics infrastructure and digital
technologies to create faster, safer and more sustainable transportation
networks while strengthening India’s manufacturing competitiveness.
The
second day of RAHSTA Expo brought together policymakers, infrastructure
developers, consultants, contractors, technology providers and industry leaders
to deliberate on the next phase of India’s road and industrial infrastructure
growth, with Uttar Pradesh emerging as one of the key examples of
infrastructure-driven economic transformation.
For
more information: www.RAHSTAexpo.com
To
participate in RAHSTA Expo 2027 contact:
Ninad
(Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Indore, Pune and East): Mob: 8657758122 |
Email: exhibition1@asappinfoglobal.com
Anupama
(South and Pune): Mob: 8422874045 | Email: exhibition2@asappinfoglobal.com
Chandrashekhar
(Mumbai & North): Mob: 8652493000 | Email:
chandrashekhar.b@asappinfoglobal.com
The
next edition of RAHSTA Expo will be held from May 20-22, 2027 in Mumbai.