Longest Expressway in Uttar Pradesh

At 1 PM on 18 December 2021, PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur Uttar Pradesh.  

The Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh Shahjahanpur is a 594-Km long . Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) had undertaken the project. It has asked IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd for constructing it.  

The Expressway will extend from Meerut to Prayaraj. This  will pass through 12 districts of UP (Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh and Prayagraj), 140 rivers and water bodies.   

 PM Modi’s highlights expressway’s benefit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted about the Expressway “This is an important infra project that will improve connectivity across Uttar Pradesh. It will also boost economic development and tourism“.  

The inspiration behind it is the vision of PM Narendra Modi to have fast-paced connectivity across the country. PM Modi’s address mentioned various benefits such as new employment opportunities. It will save people time during travelling and increase convenience while travelling.

There will also be an increase in various business ventures, which will create new opportunities for the farmers that the building of Expressway will bring. 

PM Modi also mentioned how the airport, metro, waterways, and defense corridor would be connected to the Expressway in his address. It is proposed that at Shahjahanpur, a 2.5 Km long airstrip be built for emergency landing and takeoff of fighter aircraft.

This project will also reduce the travelling time between Delhi and Prayagraj. It is expected that various sectors such as agriculture, commerce, tourism and industries will benefit from the infrastructure.  

The second part of his address targeted the opposition and their work. He mentioned how only a few benefited from their schemes. He noted how his government schemes would help and be available for all. 

He also said it was difficult for people to travel earlier during any emergency, but now, it will become easier due to Expressway. There will also increase opportunities for training, medical and teaching institution.  

About the Expressway  

This Expressway will help in connecting western and eastern regions of the state. It will be built in phases. In the first phase, six lanes will be constructed and later will be expanded up to eight lanes. This infrastructure project cost is estimated at Rs 36,230 crore.  

The government has mentioned a plan to ensure that environment is protected. The government has purchased the land from the farmers for building the Expressway. They have decided to plant 18,55,000 saplings along the way. 

Solar energy will generate electricity on the land acquired for the project. The Expressway will generate 12000 temporary employment opportunities.  

The inauguration has also resulted in political debates, as the inauguration is before the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. During her term, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the Ganga Expressway was started by the Bahujan Samaj Party’s (BSP) Mayawati.

Since 2007 during Mayawati-led government started taking permission for the Expressway.   The Ganga Expressway is expected to be completed by the year 2025.