The resumption of work on the Kesari Kheda overbridge marks a critical step toward improving road mobility in Lucknow. A nearly year-long halt in construction, caused by an unauthorised multi-storey structure at the Krishna Nagar-Kesari Kheda railway crossing, had compounded urban congestion and frustrated commuters. Its demolition now clears the path for progress—bringing the project closer to fruition.
Constructed over a 120 square metre plot on government land, the building encroached upon the railway right-of-way, obstructing alignment and impeding construction logistics. After the Lucknow Development Authority issued a legal notice, authorities began demolishing the structure from the rooftop downwards, removing the primary impediment to the overbridge’s completion.
Carried out by the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation, the overbridge project has traversed significant milestones. To date, 75 per cent of the span has been completed. With a conservative timeline, officials estimate another six to eight months will suffice to finalise structural, surface, and connecting road works. The bridge’s 957‑metre length aims to eliminate repeated disruptions caused by train crossings on one of the city’s busiest corridors.
The bridge serves more than half a million residents across Rajajipuram, Pandit Kheda, and Sadarona—localities notorious for enduring traffic stoppages as often as 62 times daily. Each blockade can lock the area for 15 to 20 minutes during peak hours, and sometimes longer. In heavy congestion periods, commuters have been forced to undertake a 12 km detour via Nadarganj or Para, adding costly time and inconvenience to their daily routines.
With construction now active on both sides, including a 200‑metre access road on the Rajajipuram side, and landfilling utilising fly ash from NTPC Unchahar, the overbridge is steadily moving toward completion. Its operationalisation is expected to streamline daily commutes, increase fuel efficiency of vehicles, reduce urban emissions and significantly enhance accessibility for businesses and emergency services.
This infrastructure push carries broader implications for urban planning. The bridge’s anticipated impact includes easing pressure on local roads, shortening travel times, and supporting equitable city access. In areas where barriers to mobility disproportionately affect women, the elderly, and lower-income commuters, such enhancements can translate into tangible social benefits.
However, challenges remain. Land acquisition has often courted controversy in Indian infrastructure projects. Ensuring equitable and transparent transition for affected residents, alongside robust safety and environmental mitigation measures, will determine long-term success. Moreover, continuous maintenance and monitoring will be vital in preserving structural integrity and efficacy.
For now, as construction crews return and machinery hums along the rail corridor, Lucknow moves closer to a future defined by smarter connectivity. The bridge is a reminder that on-time completion matters—not just for traffic flow but for civic confidence in public infrastructure delivery.