In a pivotal move to enhance infrastructure, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the approval of a major extension to the Ganga Expressway during a cabinet meeting in Prayagraj. The project, set to integrate the Purvanchal and Bundelkhand Expressways, will establish an extensive high-speed network spanning all districts of the state. Originally designed as a six-lane corridor, the expressway is now slated for an upgrade to eight lanes, amplifying its capacity to link strategic regions.
Strategic Routes and Key Districts
The extended route will connect Prayagraj to Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Varanasi, Chandauli, and Ghazipur, with Ghazipur emerging as a vital node bridging the Purvanchal Expressway. This integration will create a direct pathway from Western Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region (NCR) to Bihar, streamlining interstate travel. Additionally, the Bundelkhand Expressway will link Chitrakoot to Prayagraj, bolstering connectivity across the Vindhya-Kashi belt.
Progress on Phases
- Phase 1: Covering 594 kilometers from Meerut to Prayagraj, the initial stretch traverses 518 villages across 12 districts, including Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, and Raebareli. Once operational, travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj will be slashed to six hours. Construction, now in its final stages, focuses on completing interchanges and overbridges.
- Phase 2: Extending 350 kilometers, this phase will incorporate Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Varanasi, Ghazipur, and Ballia, positioning the Ganga Expressway as India’s longest expressway and a transformative link between Eastern and Western Uttar Pradesh.
Future Connectivity: Noida Airport Integration
Plans are also advancing for a new expressway connecting the upcoming Noida International Airport to the Ganga Expressway. Officials from the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) and Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) have held multiple rounds of discussions to finalize the alignment. This corridor will further integrate with the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and Yamuna Expressway, enhancing regional accessibility and cementing Noida Airport’s role as a multimodal transit hub.
With Phase 1 nearing completion and Phase 2 on the horizon, the Ganga Expressway project underscores Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to revolutionizing infrastructure and fostering economic growth across the Indo-Gangetic plains.
