Lucknow Kanpur Expressway Status (September 2026): Route Map, Toll & Opening Date

The travel time between Lucknow and Kanpur will decrease from 1.5–2 hours to just 45 minutes.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is developing this project under the Bharatmala Pariyojana.

Yes. The Lucknow–Kanpur Expressway is commonly referred to as the Awadh Expressway. The project is also officially designated as National Expressway 6 (NE-6).

The Lucknow–Kanpur Expressway route map shows a 63 km corridor starting from Shaheed Path in Lucknow, passing through rural parts of Unnao district (Bani), and terminating near Azad Marg Chauraha near Kanpur's Ganga Bridge. It features an 18 km elevated urban section and a 45 km greenfield alignment.

Construction is nearly complete across both packages, reaching 99% overall progress as of May 2026. The elevated section is undergoing structural trials, toll rates have been announced, and the remaining works on a few ramps and toll plazas are being wrapped up.

The Lucknow–Kanpur Expressway (Awadh Expressway) is targeted to be fully operational for public traffic by Mid-2026. Stretches like the Greenfield Unnao section have been ready since late 2025.

The announced toll rates for light private vehicles are ₹275 for a one-way trip and ₹415 for a round trip.

PNC Infratech Ltd. is executing both packages under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). Package 1 is executed via its subsidiary Kanpur Lucknow Expressway Pvt. Ltd., and Package 2 via Awadh Expressway Pvt. Ltd.

The Lucknow Kanpur Expressway is a 63 km six-lane greenfield, access-controlled expressway in Uttar Pradesh, developed by NHAI under the Bharatmala programme. It provides a high-speed alternative to the existing Lucknow–Kanpur road corridor and connects the two cities through a new alignment.

The expressway runs from the Lucknow side to Kanpur through a greenfield alignment, with the project divided into two main packages. Package 1 covers approximately km 10.980 to km 28.500, while Package 2 covers km 28.500 to km 73.744, including the associated spur. The corridor connects with the existing highway network at both ends.

The Lucknow Kanpur Expressway map follows the 63 km greenfield corridor between Lucknow and Kanpur. The project alignment is represented through the two NHAI construction packages, from km 10.980 through km 73.744. Official NHAI project documents are preferable for the detailed alignment over older unofficial route maps.

The Lucknow Kanpur Expressway has a total project length of approximately 63 km. NHAI records identify the overall greenfield project as 63 km, with Package 1 covering about 17.52 km and Package 2 covering about 45.24 km.

The project is commonly reported at around ₹4,200 crore. The two PNC Infratech concession packages had bid project costs of ₹779.75 crore for Package 1 and ₹776.85 crore for Package 2 in the original financial-closure documents, while later project reporting uses the broader project cost of about ₹4,200 crore.

PNC Infratech was the concessionaire for the two main Kanpur–Lucknow Expressway packages under the Hybrid Annuity Model. Package 1 was awarded to Kanpur Lucknow Expressway Private Limited and Package 2 to Awadh Expressway Private Limited, both associated with PNC Infratech.

The NHAI project was divided into two HAM packages. Package 1 covered km 10.980–28.500 and Package 2 covered km 28.500–73.744. PNC Infratech's associated concession companies were awarded the two packages, with construction periods specified in the concession arrangements.

The six-lane greenfield Lucknow–Kanpur Expressway was inaugurated in July 2026. The project had reached completion before its opening, with NHAI records showing Package 2 had received its completion certificates and the corridor subsequently opened to traffic.

The expressway is operational, but its current operation has been affected by structural distress on parts of the corridor. In July 2026, a roughly 300-metre stretch near km 64 developed slippage. NHAI ordered restoration and a technical investigation, diverted traffic around the affected location and took action against the concessionaire and other responsible stakeholders.

The latest update is that NHAI has imposed a three-year debarment on PNC Infratech, the concessionaire associated with the expressway, following defects and premature failures identified after opening. NHAI has also pursued recovery of lost toll revenue and required restoration of affected stretches. The debarment letter was issued on 11 September 2026.

After opening in July 2026, several defects and surface failures were reported, including approximately 300 metres of slippage near km 64 following heavy rainfall. NHAI initiated restoration work and a technical assessment, while an expert investigation examined the causes of the premature failures.

Toll collection was suspended after the reported structural failures while corrective and investigative work was undertaken. NHAI subsequently pursued compensation from the concessionaire for toll revenue lost during the suspension period.