On April 29, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the 594-kilometer Ganga Expressway in Hardoi, a greenfield infrastructure initiative valued at Rs 36,230 crore, designed to enhance connectivity throughout Uttar Pradesh.
This six-lane, access-controlled expressway, which can be expanded to eight lanes, connects Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh to Prayagraj in the east, establishing a high-speed transport corridor that traverses vital economic areas. Official projections indicate that it will significantly cut travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj from 10–12 hours to approximately six hours, thereby improving both passenger transport and freight efficiency.
The expressway runs through 12 districts, including Meerut, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Raebareli, Pratapgarh, and Prayagraj, thereby enhancing intra-state connectivity.
A key feature of the project is a 3.5-kilometer emergency landing strip located in Shahjahanpur, which is intended for dual use by civilian and defense operations. Additionally, the project encompasses the development of manufacturing and logistics hubs across 2,635 hectares, which are anticipated to lower logistics expenses and enhance industrial competitiveness. It is projected to support agriculture by facilitating access to urban and export markets, thereby increasing farmers’ incomes.
Furthermore, it is expected to generate more tourism and job opportunities. The expressway will connect with other significant corridors such as the Agra-Lucknow, Jewar Link, and Farrukhabad Link Expressways, thereby forming a comprehensive state-wide transport network that will foster long-term economic development in Uttar Pradesh.
