Expressways and the Changing Economic Geography of Eastern Uttar Pradesh: Infrastructure, Connectivity and the Road to a Trillion-Dollar Economy

Transport infrastructure is increasingly recognised as a key driver of regional economic transformation and spatial integration. This paper examines the changing economic geography of Eastern Uttar Pradesh through the lens of the state's expanding expressway network and its contribution to Uttar Pradesh's vision of becoming a trillion-dollar economy. It argues that expressways are more than transportation corridors; they are strategic economic assets capable of attracting investment, improving logistics, strengthening agricultural value chains, and promoting industrial and regional development. Drawing on concepts from transport geography, spatial interaction, and growth pole theory, the paper analyses how infrastructure initiatives such as the Purvanchal Expressway and proposed connectivity projects can facilitate the emergence of an Eastern Growth Corridor linking Eastern Uttar Pradesh with Bihar and beyond. The paper further highlights the importance of integrating expressway development with industrial clusters, logistics parks, multimodal transport systems, skill development, and the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative to maximise economic benefits. It concludes that infrastructure-led development, supported by appropriate policy and institutional reforms, can reduce regional disparities, stimulate balanced growth, and reposition Eastern Uttar Pradesh as an emerging hub of production, logistics, and investment. Keywords: Economic Geography; Transport Geography; Expressway-led Development; Eastern Uttar Pradesh; Purvanchal Expressway; Regional Development; Infrastructure; Logistics; Growth Corridor; Trillion-Dollar Economy

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