Agra-Lucknow Expressway closed for five days; Air Force exercise

The Agra-Lucknow Expressway will remain closed for five days for commuters from Monday. The Expressway is closed to allow Indian Air Force for its touch down exercise.The exercise involves 20 planes, including the AN-32, Mirage 2000 and Sukhoi 30 MKI, on the highway. Transport aircraft (AN-32) will land and then take off from this highway for the first time.

PRO, Defence (Central Command), Gargi Malik Sinha said the IAF will conduct the aircraft touchdown exercise on the Agra Expressway near Bangarmau in Unnao district. Sinha said the AN-32 aircrafts are meant for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The aircraft can bring a large amount of relief material and can also help in evacuating people.

The decision was taken by Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA). Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the UPEIDA Awanish Awasthi had written a letter to the district magistrate of Unnao about exercise. He wrote Indian Air Force was planning to conduct highways flying operations on October 24.

The letter further said, “It is to bring to your notice that due to Diwali vacation, a lot of traffic is moving on the expressway. Hence, keeping in view the convenience of the expressway users, it is proposed to stop the use of expressway for the general public from 10am on October 23 to 2pm on October 24.