On Wednesday, April 29th, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Ganga Expressway in the Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh. This impressive expressway spans 594 kilometers and features six lanes, with a total investment surpassing ₹36,200 crore. It will start from the village of Bijauli in Meerut and extend to Judapur Dandu village in Prayagraj, traversing through several districts, including Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Budaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, and Pratapgarh.
The groundwork for this ambitious project was laid on December 18, 2021, by Prime Minister Modi. Once inaugurated, the Ganga Expressway will stand as the longest expressway in Uttar Pradesh, effectively linking the western and eastern parts of the state. Additionally, a 3.5-kilometer airstrip designed for the emergency take-off and landing of Air Force aircraft will be constructed in Shahjahanpur, along with a proposed industrial corridor adjacent to the expressway.
What Are The Important Things To Know About Ganga Expressway
The development of the expressway will significantly enhance various sectors such as industry, trade, agriculture, and tourism, aiming to stimulate socio-economic growth in the area.
The entire expressway will be constructed with the capacity for six lanes, expandable to eight lanes, ensuring all structures maintain an eight-lane width. It will utilize an access-controlled design with a closed toll system.
The Ganga Expressway will facilitate faster travel connecting the National Capital Region (NCR) to Meerut. It will then proceed towards Prayagraj. The project aims to facilitate a high-speed, all-weather roadway that will alleviate congestion currently experienced on the existing routes.
The travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj is usually around 10 to 12 hours. However, it is expected to be reduced to approximately 6 to 7 hours. This change is expected to boost both passenger transport and freight movement.
The proposed toll rates will be around ₹2.55 per kilometer for vehicles, translating to approximately ₹1,500 for the entire journey. The implementation of FASTag-based toll collection will be mandatory. Currently, Uttar Pradesh comprises about 55% of India’s total expressway network. And now, with this project, it is projected to rise to nearly 60% once the Ganga Expressway is operational.
