The Uttar Pradesh (UP) state in India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with five private companies for the construction of Lucknow-Agra Expressway.

The expressway will cost $2.4bn and become India’s longest six-lane access-controlled expressway.

Out of the total amount, $1.8bn will be used for the construction of the expressway and the remainder will be used to acquire land from the local residents at market rates.

"Out of the total amount, $1.8bn will be used for the construction of the expressway and the remainder will be used to acquire land from the local residents at market rates."

The deadline has reduced the deadline of construction to 30 months from the previous target of 36 months.

The expressway is set to be built in five parts, with L&T responsible for the Lucknow to Unnao stretch, as it emerged as the lowest bidder for the project.

Afcons Infrastructure, which will be constructing the Unnao to Kannauj stretch, Nagarjuna Construction Company will be responsible for the Kannauj to Etawah section.

Afcons Infrastructure will build the Etawah to Firozabad stretch and PNC Infratech will be building the section between Firozabad and Agra.

The Lucknow-Agra Expressway is expected to bring rapid economic growth to the western UP region.