Ganga Expressway | UP’s Longest and Fastest Highway
The Ganga Expressway is one of the largest expressway projects in India, designed to improve east-west connectivity across Uttar Pradesh. Once completed, it will stretch over 594 kilometers, linking Meerut in Western UP to Prayagraj in Eastern UP. The expressway is being developed as a six-lane greenfield corridor, expandable to eight lanes. The project is expected to reduce the travel time between the two cities from 12 hours to just 6-7 hours.
Overview of the Ganga Expressway
The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) is responsible for the implementation of the Ganga Expressway. The project is being developed under the DBFOT model (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer) as part of the public-private partnership initiative.
Main Details
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Length | 594 km |
| Starting Point | Bijauli village, Meerut district |
| Ending Point | Judapur Dandu village, Prayagraj district |
| Number of Lanes | 6 lanes (expandable to 8) |
| Speed Limit | 120 km/h |
| Construction Model | DBFOT – Public Private Partnership (PPP) |
| Maintained By | UPEIDA |
| Project Budget | ₹37,350 crore (₹9,500 crore allocated for land acquisition) |
| Operational Date | Expected by November 2025 |
| Villages Covered | 518 |
| Emergency Airstrip | 3.5 km in Shahjahanpur for IAF use |
Ganga Expressway Route - Districts Covered
The Ganga Expressway passes through more than 12 districts of Uttar Pradesh. It enhances connectivity across densely populated and rural areas along the Ganga River.
Districts Along the Route
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Meerut
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Hapur
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Bulandshahr
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Amroha
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Sambhal
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Budaun
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Shahjahanpur
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Hardoi
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Unnao
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Raebareli
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Pratapgarh
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Prayagraj
These districts will benefit from improved logistics, transportation, and urban development due to this expressway.
Construction Packages and Length - Ganga Expressway
The expressway is being constructed in 12 separate packages for efficient execution.
| Package No. | Route (Districts) | Length (km) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meerut to Hapur | 48.9 |
| 2 | Hapur to Amroha | 30.0 |
| 3 | Amroha to Budaun | 50.7 |
| 4 | Budaun Section 1 | 52.1 |
| 5 | Budaun to Shahjahanpur | 46.7 |
| 6 | Shahjahanpur to Hardoi (Section 1) | 52.9 |
| 7 | Hardoi (Section 2) | 52.4 |
| 8 | Hardoi to Unnao | 50.2 |
| 9 | Unnao Section 2 | 53.1 |
| 10 | Unnao to Raebareli | 51.8 |
| 11 | Raebareli to Pratapgarh | 52.0 |
| 12 | Pratapgarh to Prayagraj | 53.0 |
Toll Charges for Ganga Expressway
The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced the following toll rates for various vehicle categories:
| Vehicle Type | One-Way (₹) | Return (₹) | Monthly Pass (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car / Van | 145 | 200 | 4,905 |
| Light Commercial Vehicle | 225 | 340 | 7,535 |
| Bus / Truck | 455 | 685 | 15,190 |
| Heavy Construction Machine | 690 | 1,035 | 23,050 |
| 6-Axle Vehicle | 690 | 1,035 | 23,050 |
| 7+ Axle Vehicle | 900 | 1,350 | 30,005 |
Timeline and Development Milestones
| Milestone Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Project Conceived as Greater Noida-Ballia Expressway | 2007 |
| Revived as Ganga Expressway | 2019 |
| Detailed Project Report Approved | September 2019 |
| ₹2,000 Crore Budget Allocated | February 2020 |
| Tenders Floated | March 2021 |
| Foundation Stone Laid by PM Narendra Modi | December 2021 |
| Land Acquisition (93% Completed) | September 2021 |
| Construction Started | April 2022 |
| IAF Emergency Runway Trials Conducted | May 2025 |
| Project Completion Target | November 2025 |
Infrastructure Facilities and Features of Ganga Expressway
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Bridges: One 960-meter bridge over the Ganga and another 720-meter bridge over the Ramganga.
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Flyovers: 18 flyovers and 8 road-over-bridges.
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Toll Facilities: 2 major toll plazas and 15 ramp plazas.
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Convenience Complexes: 9 facilities with food courts, rest areas, and public washrooms.
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Airstrip: Emergency landing facility for Indian Air Force jets in Shahjahanpur.
Real Estate and Economic Impact
The Ganga Expressway will bring transformational changes in the real estate sector across Western and Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Residential Sector
Locations like Meerut, Prayagraj, Kanpur, and nearby towns are expected to see high residential demand. Improved connectivity will make these locations attractive for home buyers and investors.
Commercial and Industrial Growth
The government’s plan to establish Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and food processing clusters along the expressway will fuel commercial and industrial real estate development. The presence of logistics hubs and improved transport infrastructure will support business expansion.
Retail and Tourism
Tourist-rich regions like Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Agra will become more accessible, increasing tourism. As a result, retail businesses, hospitality, and service sectors will see substantial growth.
Property prices in the region are projected to rise by 15% to 30% due to these developments.
Connectivity to Other Expressways and Jewar Airport
To maximize utility, the Ganga Expressway will be linked to:
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Purvanchal Expressway via Mirzapur and Varanasi
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Bundelkhand Expressway through Chitrakoot
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Yamuna Expressway for access to Jewar Airport (Noida International Airport)
An 83-km long link road will connect the Ganga Expressway to Jewar Airport via Bulandshahr, improving access from eastern UP to Delhi NCR. The estimated cost of this link project is ₹4,000 crore and land will be acquired from 57 villages.
Environmental and Social Challenges
While the expressway brings many benefits, it also comes with certain challenges:
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Land Displacement: Agricultural land acquisition may impact farmers’ livelihoods and reduce crop production.
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Environmental Concerns: Construction near the Ganga River could affect water quality and aquatic biodiversity.
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Short-Term Business Disruption: Local businesses may face temporary challenges during construction.
Final Thoughts - Ganga Expressway
The Ganga Expressway is more than just a transport corridor, it’s a roadmap for the economic transformation of Uttar Pradesh. From reduced travel times and improved logistics to boosted real estate demand and enhanced industrial output, the project promises all-round development. Once operational, it will emerge as a key link connecting the heart of India’s most populous state.
