Present at the event were Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, Union Minister Pankaj Chaudhary, along with other dignitaries.
From Meerut to Prayagraj: What the expressway covers
The access-controlled expressway extends from Bijoli village in Meerut to near Judapur Dandu village in Prayagraj. It traverses 12 districts—Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh, and Prayagraj—thereby connecting western and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, it links 519 villages and runs closely parallel to the Ganga River.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Ganga Expressway in Hardoi. This transformative infrastructure project will boost connectivity and drive progress across Uttar Pradesh. https://t.co/UoFCdwSRmO
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 2026
The state cabinet approved the project in 2020, and Modi laid its foundation stone in Shahjahanpur on December 18, 2021. Authorities confirmed that the expressway has been completed on schedule.
Developed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority under a public-private partnership, the corridor came at an estimated cost of ₹36,230 crore.
आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के कर-कमलों से ‘गंगा एक्सप्रेस-वे’ के लोकार्पण हेतु जनपद हरदोई में आयोजित कार्यक्रम में… https://t.co/TelV9pYRSq
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) April 29, 2026
With a six-lane design that can expand to eight lanes, the expressway has a design speed of 120 kmph. It is set to become the longest greenfield expressway in India and the longest in Uttar Pradesh.
Travel time cut, airstrip, and safety systems in place
Officials estimate that travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj will decrease from around 10–12 hours to 6–7 hours. The proposed toll rates are approximately ₹2.55 per km for cars, translating to about ₹1,500 for the full distance. FASTag-based toll collection will be mandatory.
The expressway features an emergency airstrip located near Shahjahanpur. While project specifications mention a 3.2-km strip, background information indicates a 3.5-km airstrip designed for Indian Air Force use, tested in May 2025 with fighter and transport aircraft.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the audience during the inauguration of the 594-km Ganga Expressway in Hardoi district. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were also present.
Safety and monitoring features encompass an Intelligent Traffic Management System, CCTV surveillance, emergency call boxes, ambulances, and patrolling units.
This expressway will integrate with the Purvanchal, Agra-Lucknow, Bundelkhand, and Gorakhpur Link expressways, creating a broader road network across the state.
Jobs, investment, and farmers: What leaders said
Officials noted that the project aims to enhance connectivity, lower logistics costs, and stimulate industrial activity, trade, and investment. It is also projected to create jobs and strengthen supply chains throughout the regions it serves.
Integrated manufacturing and logistics clusters are being planned along the corridor, which will consist of warehouses, cold storage facilities, and food processing centers. The project acquired approximately 18,000 acres of land, with nearly 7,000 acres designated for industrial and logistics hubs.
Adityanath remarked, “It will play a pivotal role in accelerating development and bridging distances.” He further expressed gratitude to over one lakh farmers across 12 districts who contributed land for this expressway, acknowledging their support in making the project a reality.
He emphasized that the expressway will simplify transportation and promote economic growth, industrial development, and job creation. Furthermore, he stated it would serve as a backbone for the state’s economy, aligning with the vision of a “Developed India.”
Pankaj Chaudhary mentioned that this represents one of the longest expressways in the country and a significant advancement in modern infrastructure for the state.
Officials explained that the expressway will enable quicker transport of goods and services, enhance agricultural marketing by allowing farmers to reach markets more efficiently, and support tourism and local businesses. They also added that the project aligns with Uttar Pradesh’s ambition of becoming a trillion-dollar economy.
Read more: Ganga Expressway: Route, cost, impact, and other interesting facts you must know
First Published: Apr 29, 2026 1:23 PM IST
