About Ganga Expressway:

The Ganga Expressway is a 6-lane (expandable to 8) greenfield project that will be India’s longest expressway upon full completion. It is designed to provide high-speed connectivity between the western and eastern borders of Uttar Pradesh, reducing travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj from 12 hours to just 6–7 hours.

• Total Length: 594 km
• Total Cost: 37,350 crore (approx.)
• Operational Speed: 120 km/hr
• Key Features: * Airforce Airstrip: A 3.5 km emergency landing strip in Shahjahanpur.

• • Major Structures: 14 major bridges, 126 minor bridges, and 28 flyovers.
  • Smart Tech: AI-assisted monitoring for road quality (Swiss technology) and fully automated FASTag tolling.

Districts Covered (West to East):

The expressway traverses 12 districts across Uttar Pradesh:

1. Meerut (Starting point at Bijauli village)
2. Hapur
3. Bulandshahr
4. Amroha
5. Sambhal
6. Budaun
7. Shahjahanpur (Location of the IAF airstrip)
8. Hardoi
9. Unnao
10. Rae Bareli
11. Pratapgarh
12. Prayagraj (Ending point at Judapur Dandu village)

Economic Impact:

• Industrial Growth: The expressway is being developed as an Industrial Corridor, with planned pharma parks, textile parks, and IT parks along its route.
• Real Estate Boom: Improved connectivity has already led to a surge in property prices and demand for residential and commercial spaces in cities like Meerut, Shahjahanpur, and Prayagraj.
• Employment: The project is estimated to create over 1 lakh direct and indirect jobs in construction, logistics, and hospitality.
• Logistics Efficiency: By reducing travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj from 12 hours to just 6–7 hours, it will drastically lower transportation costs for goods and raw materials.

Social Impact:

• Rural Connectivity: The expressway connects 518 villages across 12 districts, providing rural farmers with faster access to large urban markets for their produce.
• Health and Education: Faster travel times facilitate quicker access to specialized healthcare and educational institutions in major hubs like Kanpur and Prayagraj.
• Disaster Management: The construction includes a 5 km airstrip in Shahjahanpur for emergency take-off and landing of Air Force planes, enhancing regional safety and defense preparedness.

Cultural Impact:

• Religious Tourism: The expressway provides seamless high-speed access to the “spiritual hub” of Prayagraj, which is critical for major events like the Maha Kumbh Mela.
• Heritage Preservation: Improved roads to historical sites along the Ganga River are expected to increase tourist footfall, promoting local crafts and cultural heritage.
• Cultural Exchange: Enhanced intercity connectivity fosters greater movement of people, leading to increased cultural exchange between Western and Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Political Impact:

• Governance Vision: The project is a centerpiece of the state government’s “$1 Trillion Economy” roadmap, serving as a “fast-moving representation of development”.
• Electoral Significance: The expressway directly impacts over 60 Assembly constituencies, and its timely completion is seen as a major political milestone for the ruling government ahead of elections.
• Infrastructure Leadership: With the addition of the Ganga Expressway, Uttar Pradesh will have five of India’s top 10 longest expressways, positioning the state as a national leader in modern infrastructure.