Uttar Pradesh's Infrastructure Strategy Takes Centre Stage at RAHSTA Expo
Uttar Pradesh's ambitious infrastructure-led growth strategy was highlighted on Day 2 of the 16th RAHSTA Expo, where senior government officials detailed how expressways, industrial corridors, and technology-driven governance are transforming the state into a top investment destination.
Keynote Address by UPEIDA Official
Srihari Pratap Shahi, IAS, Additional Chief Executive Officer of the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), delivered the keynote address. He emphasized the state's long-term vision of integrating world-class expressways with industrial development to accelerate manufacturing, logistics, and regional economic growth. Shahi explained that Uttar Pradesh is leveraging its expanding expressway network to create new industrial ecosystems, improve connectivity, and attract large-scale investments across sectors.
UPSIDA Highlights Manufacturing Growth and Investor-Friendly Policies
Deeksha Jain, IAS, Additional Chief Executive Officer of the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA), spoke on building industrial growth engines in the state. She said, "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." Jain highlighted that Uttar Pradesh now has 22 expressways under various stages of planning and development, with nine already operational. The state also boasts five international airports, dedicated freight corridors, an extensive industrial land bank, and one of India's largest MSME ecosystems.
UPSIDA's Industrial Development Initiatives
Jain emphasized UPSIDA's role in supporting industrialization, noting that the authority has developed 167 industrial areas across the state, with over 5,000 acres of readily allottable land and an 8,000-acre pipeline for future development. 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. The state is also focusing on sector-specific industrial clusters, including automobile manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, logistics, and advanced manufacturing, supported by plug-and-play infrastructure and single-window clearance systems. Jain called for closer collaboration between government and industry, stating that Uttar Pradesh is committed to transparent, technology-enabled systems that make investments faster and easier.
RAHSTA Expo and NHAI's Highway Development Plans
Organized by ASAPP Info Global Group, RAHSTA Expo is Asia's largest road exhibition. The 17th edition will be held on May 20-22, 2027, in Mumbai. Pratap Padode, Founder of ASAPP Info Global Group, expressed satisfaction with the expo's completion, saying, "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." Mridul Dubey, Chief General Manager (Finance) of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), outlined the next phase of India's highway development strategy, focusing 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 the PM Gati Shakti framework. Dubey noted that the sector is adopting drone surveys, AI-enabled traffic management, digital inspections, and Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling. FASTag has reduced average toll waiting time by nearly 90 per cent and generated valuable mobility data. NHAI has leveraged asset monetization through Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) projects, Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), and project-specific financing models to enable capital recycling for new development.
Integration of Infrastructure and Digital Technologies
The conference discussions 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, 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 a key example 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. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
