The construction of the 594-km Ganga Expressway, connecting Meerut to Prayagraj, is on the verge of completion. With approximately 96% of the overall work finished, the state is set to receive a new high-speed highway in the coming year. The expressway is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities to just six hours.

Current Construction Status

According to officials from the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), the majority of the expressway is ready for high-speed travel.

Meerut-Badaun Stretch: This 129-km section is fully prepared. All 322 major structures in this sector are complete.

Unnao-Haldwani Section: Only 6 per cent of the work remains in this third section of the project.

Major Structures: Out of a total of 1,498 major structures planned across the expressway, work on 1,497 has been completed.

Simbhavli Update: The critical work over the railway track at Simbhavli, which was previously incomplete, has now been finished following three high-level meetings in the last two months. A report was submitted to UPEIDA on Friday, clearing the path for trials.

Strategic And Economic Importance

Fighter Jet Airstrip: A 3.5-km airstrip capable of landing fighter jets has been constructed in Jalalabad, Shahjahanpur. In total, five locations on the expressway are prepared for emergency jet landings, with plans to develop three more.

Industrial Corridor: An industrial corridor is being developed along both sides of the expressway. This will accelerate industrial development in 12 districts: Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh, and Prayagraj.

Future Expansion: There are current plans to extend the expressway to Haridwar.

Project Timeline And Specifications

Cost And Size: The project is valued at Rs 36,230 crore and spans 7,453.13 hectares of acquired land.

Speed: The normal vehicular speed on this six-lane expressway will be around 120 km/h.

Trials And Inauguration: A departmental trial will be conducted in the presence of experts, followed by an administrative-level trial. UPEIDA officials state that trials will conclude in the first week of December. Following final testing, the Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate the expressway by January 15.

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Official Statement

ADM Sandeep Kumar said,"The construction work of the Ganga Expressway is complete. Now, preparations are underway for its trial. Our effort is to conduct the trial in December and have it inaugurated in January. A report for the inauguration will be sent to the government from our side in December itself."

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