• Source:JND

Ganga Expressway: The Ganga Expressway officially opened for vehicle movement at midnight on Wednesday, ushering in a major infrastructure milestone for Uttar Pradesh. At Meerut’s Kharkhari Toll Plaza, the first vehicles were welcomed on Thursday with traditional rituals, including prayers and coconut-breaking ceremonies.

Spanning 594 km from Meerut to Prayagraj and developed at a cost of Rs 36,230 crore, the mega project is set to transform travel, strengthen regional connectivity, and create new opportunities across residential, logistics, and industrial sectors.

As operations began, the expressway was also added to Google Maps, offering commuters a direct route between Meerut and Prayagraj for the first time. Earlier, travelers had to rely on longer, multi-route highway journeys, but Google Maps now prioritises the Ganga Expressway as the preferred option.

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In the first eight hours after opening, only 12 vehicles used the expressway on both sides after midnight. However, traffic picked up steadily throughout the day, with vehicle numbers rising sharply to around 4,300 by 6 PM on Thursday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ganga Expressway at a grand ceremony in Hardoi on Wednesday, after which operational agencies officially opened it for public use from midnight.

Officials said traffic data will now be monitored and compiled every 24 hours. They termed the first day’s response satisfactory and expressed confidence that traffic volumes will increase gradually in the coming weeks.

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Following its launch, Google Maps now prominently displays the Ganga Expressway as the preferred route for travelers commuting from Meerut to Prayagraj. Earlier, commuters had to rely on multiple highways and connecting roads, but the app now suggests a single streamlined path through the expressway.

Meerut to Prayagraj Distance and Travel Time

Although the expressway itself spans 594 km, Google Maps currently estimates the total journey from Meerut’s Begumpul (Zero Mile) to Prayagraj city at approximately 637 km, with an expected travel time of around 7 hours and 40 minutes.

The Ganga Expressway directly passes through and connects 12 districts in Uttar Pradesh:

  • Meerut
  • Hapur
  • Bulandshahr
  • Amroha
  • Sambhal
  • Budaun
  • Shahjahanpur
  • Hardoi
  • Unnao
  • Rae Bareli
  • Pratapgarh
  • Prayagraj

Meanwhile, IRB Infra CGM Anoop Singh told Jagran.com that the expressway’s advanced multi-lane free-flow toll system allows vehicles to pass through without stopping at toll plazas. However, vehicles that did halt at toll points during the inaugural phase were welcomed with ceremonial rituals, creating a memorable experience for many motorists.


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