Among those present were Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, Union minister Pankaj Chaudhary, and other dignitaries.
From Meerut to Prayagraj: What the expressway covers
The access-controlled expressway stretches from Bijoli village in Meerut to just beyond Judapur Dandu village in Prayagraj. It traverses 12 districts—Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh, and Prayagraj—linking western and eastern Uttar Pradesh. It connects 519 villages and runs largely 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 project gained state cabinet approval in 2020, with Modi laying the foundation stone in Shahjahanpur on December 18, 2021. Officials stated that the expressway was completed within the scheduled timeframe.
The corridor has been developed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority under a public-private partnership model 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
This six-lane expressway is expandable to eight lanes and is designed for speeds of up to 120 kmph, set to be the longest greenfield expressway in India and the longest in Uttar Pradesh.
Travel time cut, airstrip and safety systems in place
Officials indicated that the travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj is expected to decrease from around 10–12 hours to 6–7 hours. Proposed toll rates are approximately ₹2.55 per km for cars, totaling around ₹1,500 for the entire stretch. FASTag-based toll collection will be mandatory.
The expressway features an emergency airstrip near Shahjahanpur. While project specifications mention a 3.2-km strip, background information indicates a 3.5-km airstrip designated for Indian Air Force use, tested in May 2025 with both fighter and transport aircraft.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the gathering during the inauguration of the 594-km-long Ganga Expressway in Hardoi district. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are also present.
Safety and monitoring systems include an Intelligent Traffic Management System, CCTV surveillance, emergency call boxes, ambulances, and patrolling units.
The expressway will connect with the Purvanchal, Agra-Lucknow, Bundelkhand, and Gorakhpur Link expressways, creating a more extensive road network across the state.
Jobs, investment and farmers: What leaders said
Authorities have indicated that the project will enhance connectivity, lower logistics costs, and foster industrial activity, trade, and investment. It is also expected to create jobs and fortify supply chains across various regions.
Integrated manufacturing and logistics clusters are being established along the corridor, which will feature warehouses, cold storage facilities, and food processing hubs. Approximately 18,000 acres of land have been acquired for the project, with nearly 7,000 acres designated for industrial and logistics development.
Adityanath remarked that it would significantly contribute to development and reduce distances. He thanked over one lakh farmers from the 12 districts who provided land for the expressway, calling them “annadata” contributors to the project’s realization.
He stated that the project would facilitate transportation and stimulate economic growth, industrial expansion, and job creation. The expressway is envisioned as a backbone for the state’s economy, supporting the goal of a “Developed India.”
Pankaj Chaudhary emphasized that it represents one of the nation’s longest expressways and a modern infrastructure gift to the state.
Officials noted that the expressway will enable quicker movement of goods and services, enhance agricultural marketing by allowing farmers quicker access to markets, and bolster tourism and local enterprises. They also mentioned that the project will help Uttar Pradesh in its ambition to become 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
