Blitz Bureau
The Ganga Expressway is near completion to become the second-longest expressway in the country. Scheduled for completion by December 2024, the expressway aims to enhance connectivity between eastern and western Uttar Pradesh and facilitate the grand Maha Kumbh 2025, which will see millions of devotees and tourists from around the world visiting the festival.
The 594- km-long expressway, stretching from Bijauli in Meerut to Judapur Dandu in Prayagraj, will significantly cut both the distance and travel time between Western and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The Ganga Expressway, being constructed at a cost of Rs 36,230 crore, will cover 12 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The construction of the expressway is divided into four segments. The Meerut-Badaun section (129.70 km) is being built by M/s IRB Infrastructure. The remaining three segments — Badaun-Hardoi (151.70 km), Hardoi-Unnao (155.70 km), and Unnao-Prayagraj (156.85 km) — are being constructed by M/s Adani Infrastructure.
The target for completing the main carriageway of the Ganga Expressway is set for December 31, 2024, with the remaining works slated for completion by November 2025.
The Ganga Expressway will have a 960-meterlong bridge over the Ganga between Meerut and Badaun, and a 720-meterlong bridge over the Ramganga between Badaun and Hardoi, both of which are currently under construction. The expressway will have altogather 14 major bridges, seven rail overbridges (ROBs), and 32 flyovers. Additionally, it will include a 3.5-kilometre airstrip near Jalalabad in Shahjahanpur, capable of accommodating large Boeing aircraft in emergencies.
It will also have two main toll plazas located in Meerut and Prayagraj, along with 15 ramp toll plazas at various points along the route.
