Project Overview

The Ganga Expressway is a 594 km under-construction expressway connecting Meerut to Prayagraj. This six-lane (expandable to eight lanes) expressway will pass through 12 central districts in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and connect to 519 villages and cities, including Meerut, Bulandshahr, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, and Varanasi. 

The expressway also features a 3.5 km long airstrip for emergency landings by the Indian Air Force (IAF).  It features nine public convenience centers, 381 underpasses, 14 major bridges, 126 minor bridges, 28 flyovers, and eight diamond interchanges. It will reduce travel time from 12 hours to 6 hours upon its operation.  

The project will be developed in two phases. Phase I of the expressway will connect Meerut with Prayagraj and is expected to be completed by November 2025. Phase II will extend 110 km towards Tigri in Uttar Pradesh and 314 km towards Ballia near Varanasi. The scheduled completion date for Phase II is post-2026. 

Project Background

The Ganga Expressway was first announced in 2007 to connect Noida to Ballia. It was stopped in May 2009, as the Allahabad High Court (HC) ordered the State Government to assist with the pending consents from the Environment Ministry. 

It is owned by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA). It is developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model. 

Ganga Expressway Completion Date 

Earlier, the completion date for Phase I was scheduled to be December 2020, but it was delayed due to COVID-19. Then, on 18th December 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the Foundation Stone for the Ganga Expressway, with an expected completion date of December 2024. 

It was to ease travel for people heading to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. However, people had to take an alternative route, as the expressway was not yet completed. 

The completion date for Phase I has been extended and is now expected to be achieved by November 2025. Phase II is scheduled for completion post-2026. 

Timeline

Project Scope

The Ganga Expressway is a high-speed, access-controlled expressway aiming to improve connectivity in western and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The project scope includes the following.

• Infrastructure: The UP Government has proposed five bridges, eight Road Over Bridges (ROBs), and 18 flyovers connecting to the expressway, as well as 94 minor bridges and 960 culverts.

• Solar Power Use: Solar Power will be used on the acquired land for energy production.

• Right of Way (ROW): 120 meters, with a 3.75 m service road on one side of the expressway for local traffic. 

• Airstrip: The Ganga Expressway features an Airstrip at Shahjahanpur for emergency landings. 

• Public utilities: The expressway includes nine public utilities. 

• Saplings plantation: Approximately 18,55,000 saplings are planted along the expressway. Thus protecting the environment.

Project Cost of Ganga Expressway

Initially, the estimated project cost of the Ganga Expressway was INR 40,000 crore. As the project is developed in two phases, the estimated cost for Phase I is INR 37,350 crore. It includes the land acquisition cost of INR 9,500 crore. The cost of Phase II has not been declared, as the DPR has not been prepared yet. 

Ganga Expressway Route Map

Ganga Expressway Route

The Ganga Expressway will be one of the longest expressways in India, connecting the eastern and western parts of Uttar Pradesh. It will link NH-334 (Meerut District) with NH-2 (Prayagraj). It will further connect to the National Capital Region. It starts near the Bijauli village and ends at Judapur Dandu Village in Prayagraj. 

It passes through 519 villages and 12 major districts of UP, reducing travel time to 6-7 hours. At present, it takes 12 hours to travel. The 12 districts include Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Budaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh, and Prayagraj.

Villages Covered by the Ganga Expressway

Phase I

Phase I of the project is a 594 km-long expressway that starts from Meerut and heads towards Prayagraj. It covers some of the key districts of UP, including Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Budaun, and Shahjahanpur. It reduces the travel time and promotes trade and commerce in Uttar Pradesh.

It is currently under construction, with a boom in multiple areas. As part of the project, earthwork, pavement laying, and structural components, such as bridges, culverts, and underpasses, are built concomitantly to ensure seamless connectivity. 

With its completion in November 2025, a high-speed corridor will be opened, greatly improving travel between Delhi-NCR and eastern Uttar Pradesh. 

Phase II

Phase II is the expansion phase of the Ganga Expressway. It will extend eastward to boost connectivity between Bihar and Varanasi. With the improved connectivity, Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Bihar will be able to travel more easily and become more economically integrated. 

It will undergo two extensions.

• Haridwar Extension (Spur I): The Haridwar extension is approximately a 110 km long stretch connecting to Uttarakhand. It starts from Tigri to the UP-UTTARAKHAND border. It particularly aims to benefit commuters and pilgrims by reducing the crowd on NH-58. It will boost real estate in regions like Haridwar, Meerut, and Hapur. It further strengthens the economy by providing direct access to Tourism City Haridwar. 

• Ballia Extension (Spur II): Ballia Extension is approximately a 314 km long stretch connecting to Bihar. It begins in Prayagraj and ends in Ballia. The extension will pass through several districts, including Varanasi, where it will impact 75 villages, potentially driving growth in real estate and tourism. 

Toll Prizes of the Expressway

Toll booths are located on both sides of the expressway at the T-point in Mangarola, allowing all types of vehicles to pass through. Two central toll plazas will be established in Meerut and Prayagraj, with 15 ramp toll plazas along the Ganga Expressway route.

The different toll prices for various vehicles are as follows: 

• Cars and Vans: The charge for a one-way pass is INR 145; for a return pass, it's INR 200, and for a monthly pass, it's INR 4,905. 

• Bus and Truck: It charges INR 455 for a one-way pass, INR 685 for a return pass, and INR 15,190 for a monthly pass. 

• Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV): Toll prices for LCV are INR 225 for a one-way pass, INR 340 for a return pass, and INR 7,535 for a monthly pass. 

• Heavy Construction Machinery (HCM) or Earth Moving Equipment (EME): Toll prices are INR 690 for a one-way pass, INR 1,035 for a return pass, and INR 23,050 for a monthly pass. 

• Axle Vehicles (up to 7): Toll rates are decided as INR 900 for a one-way pass, INR 1,350 for a return pass, and INR 30,005 for a monthly pass.  

Contractors and Packages 

Phase I is divided into 12 packages. 

Latest News & Updates

Ganga Expressway Breaks Two World Records

• The first world record was broken by setting up a 34.24 km lane of bituminous concrete in 24 hours in Package 3, Hardoi-Unnao division. The road was built on an area of 171,210 square meters, using 20,105 cubic meters of bituminous concrete. The initial record was set by a 27 km lane on the Ghaziabad-Aligarh Expressway in 2023. 
  

• The Second World record was broken when a 10 km long Thai beam crash barrier was installed. It is the record broken for the first time in the construction field. The Thai Beam Crash Barrier secures vehicles from diverging from the road in the event of an accident. 

Benefits

• Improved connectivity: The expressway will enhance connectivity between Eastern and Western Uttar Pradesh. Further, it enhances flexibility between Meerut and Prayagraj. 

• Rise in trade and logistics: Upon its operation, the expressway will ease the movement of goods and reduce transportation costs. As a result, it will boost trade and logistics.

• Reduced Travel Time: With the operation of the Ganga Expressway, travel time is expected to be reduced to 6-7 hours. Currently, it takes around 12 hours. 

• Enhance National Defence Preparedness: The expressway includes a 3.5 km emergency airstrip for use by Indian Air Force aircraft, enhancing national defense preparedness.

• Employment Generation: Multiple jobs will be created during and after the completion of the expressway. It will create jobs in sectors such as logistics, services, and infrastructure. 

• Environmental Protection: The reduced travel time and congestion result in reduced emissions. The expressway also features eco-friendly elements, including rainwater harvesting, wildlife crossings, and sustainable construction practices, to minimize its ecological impact. 

Conclusion

The Ganga Expressway is a transformative infrastructure project that will enhance connectivity, economic development, and regional integration across Uttar Pradesh. Utilizing high-speed transportation and sustainable, eco-conscious planning, the expressway can become a backbone for growth, reducing travel time, boosting trade, and enhancing communities along its extensive corridor.

Furthermore, the expressway promotes industrial development in the region. In addition to attracting investment, it will create opportunities for multiple jobs in the UP region. Integrated with airstrips, defense facilities, service roads, and logistics hubs, the expressway not only addresses current mobility needs but also lays the foundation for a resilient, future-ready transportation network.

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