From better roads to bigger gigs: 9 things Kanpur needs ASAP

Kanpur is an industrial city with a long history of business, factories and people who know how to hustle. But sometimes, it feels like the city is taking its own sweet time when it comes to keeping up with changing times. From smoother roads and better public spaces to more exciting events, new hangout spots and job opportunities, there’s a lot that could make living here better. So, here are 9 things we think Kanpur needs ASAP!

Kanpur does have events like IIT Kanpur’s Antaragni, but we’d love to see more live gigs, big-name concerts, music festivals and comedy nights happening through the year. How about getting to watch your favourite indie artist perform live, catching a popular singer in your own city or having a festival to look forward to with your gang.

Kanpur has the Ganga flowing right through its story, but we could definitely do more than just drive down to Ganga Barrage for the views or stop by Sarsaiya Ghat for a breather. Imagine a little greenery, clean walking paths, riverside cafés and spaces where families and friends can hang out would go a long way. The Ganga already gives Kanpur the setting, all we need is a riverfront that lets the city make the most of it.

Not everyone wants to spend their evenings at a café or make a gym membership their entire fitness plan! Some of us just want to play badminton with friends, take a dip in a swimming pool, shoot some hoops or finally learn how to skate. While places like Green Park Stadium and The Sportz Hub at Palika Stadium give the city a sporting head start, we could do with more such facilities that are easy on the pocket and closer to home.

Can we please have roads that don’t make every monsoon feel like an obstacle course? One good spell of rain and suddenly, your regular route comes with surprise potholes, waterlogged stretches and a whole lot of swerving around just to get home. Stretches like 80 Feet Road in Barra and parts of VIP Road near Jajmau have faced pothole and rain-related damage, making everyday commutes even more frustrating. What we need is better road construction, proper drainage and repairs that actually last.

Kanpur has long been known for its industries and entrepreneurial spirit, and with institutes like IIT Kanpur nurturing young talent, there's no shortage of people ready to take on big opportunities. What the city could really use is a bigger mix of private companies, tech firms, startups and corporate offices offering jobs across fields, not just a handful of sectors. More options would mean more people could build careers here without having to move away from family and friends.

With highway connectivity that needs a boost and a growing city to keep up with, a proper outer ring road could make a real difference to everyday travel and long-distance journeys alike. The 93.2-km Kanpur Outer Ring Road is under construction, with work progressing at different speeds across its packages, while the proposed 117.7-km Kanpur–Kabrai Greenfield Highway received Cabinet approval in July 2026. Now, we need these projects to move from plans and construction updates to roads we can actually use, without the endless wait.

We know there's plenty happening here, but we'd love to see the city get the same level of attention when it comes to development. From better roads and public spaces to smoother commutes and more opportunities, there's still a lot that could make everyday life better for people here. The Kanpur Metro expansion, the ₹20,900-crore infrastructure push and the proposed Anwarganj–Mandhana elevated railway are steps in the right direction. Kanpur has the potential, now it needs consistent focus, investment and follow-through.

The city could use more fun, easy-to-join activities that give people a reason to step out, try something new and meet others beyond their usual circle. Imagine being a part of heritage walks through old Kanpur, pottery and art workshops, board-game nights that get a little too competitive, book clubs for people who love a good read, stand-up comedy evenings and creator meetups where conversations go beyond Instagram DMs.

With traffic bottlenecks, crowded junctions and long waits becoming part of the daily routine, getting around the city could be a whole lot easier with proper arterial roads. Take Lucknow’s Shaheed Path and Kisan Path, for instance, roads like these help connect key areas and give traffic more room to move. Kanpur needs similar routes linking residential neighbourhoods, commercial hubs and highways, backed by well-planned underpasses and service lanes.