Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday (June 20, 2025) inaugurated the Gorakhpur Link Expressway built at a cost of over ₹7,000 crore. Calling the inauguration in Azamgarh a game changer, Mr. Adityanath stressed that U.P. is no longer a ‘BIMARU’ State but is emerging as an ‘Expressway State’.

BIMARU is a term used in reference to a group of States, including U.P. and Madhya Pradesh, that were historically considered to be lagging in terms of social and economic development.

The Chief Minister added that Azamgarh, which once faced an identity crisis, has now transformed into a stronghold of indomitable courage. The change witnessed in the region owing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance and the efforts of the ‘double-engine government’ has transformed Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Adityanath said.

Inaugurating the 91.35 km long Gorakhpur Link Expressway built at a cost of ₹7,283 crore, Mr. Adityanath said the expressway will provide world-class connectivity not only to Azamgarh but also to adjoining districts of Sant Kabir Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar and Gorakhpur. “After 2017, U.P. focused on strengthening its infrastructure. Coming out of its BIMARU tag, the State is playing a key role as the growth engine of the nation,” he pointed out.