PM Modi inaugurates 594-km Ganga Expressway in Hardoi; extension to Haridwar planned

Officials expect reduced logistics costs, improved supply chain efficiency, and boosted manufacturing; the expressway will also enhance connectivity to religious sites such as Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Ayodhya.

The corridor envisages large industrial and logistics zones across nearly 2,600 hectares in 12 districts, with pharma hubs, textile units, and IT parks planned in Meerut, Badaun, Kanpur, and Prayagraj.

A 3.5-kilometre emergency landing strip in Shahjahanpur district is designed for IAF operations; trial runs involving fighter jets and transport planes have been conducted there.

Vehicles will travel at speeds up to 120 kmph, with Meerut-to-Prayagraj journey time expected to drop from 10-12 hours to about 6-8 hours.

The project has an estimated investment of Rs 36,230 crore, designed as a six-lane access-controlled highway with scope for future expansion to eight lanes.

The corridor will pass through Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Budaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli and Pratapgarh.

Modi stated that the Ganga Expressway will be linked to Yamuna Expressway, Agra-Lucknow Expressway, and Jewar Link Expressway, and is expected to improve access to Noida International Airport.

During the inauguration, Modi said the expressway will be extended beyond Meerut to Haridwar, with work already started to connect it via the Farrukhabad Link Expressway.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 594-km Ganga Expressway in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh.