PM Modi Opens 594-km Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh
The ₹36,200 crore greenfield corridor, largely built by Adani Enterprises, cuts Meerut-Prayagraj travel to under six hours.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 594-kilometre Ganga Expressway on 29 April 2026, a ₹36,200 crore greenfield corridor set to reshape logistics and pilgrimage travel across Uttar Pradesh.
A greenfield expressway is built on a new alignment rather than by widening existing roads, allowing straighter, faster routes with controlled access.
Key Highlights
- 594-km six-lane expressway, expandable to eight lanes.
- Built at an estimated ₹36,200 crore.
- Connects Bijauli (Meerut) to Judapur Dandu (Prayagraj) across 12 districts.
- Adani Enterprises built 464 km — nearly 80% of the length.
- Cuts Meerut-Prayagraj travel from about 11 hours to under six.
What Happened
Mr Modi, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, opened the completed expressway, which runs through 12 districts: Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Budaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh and Prayagraj.
It features a 3.5-kilometre airstrip in Shahjahanpur for emergency Indian Air Force landings, plus advanced traffic management, dedicated industrial nodes and an eco-sensitive alignment along the Ganga basin.
Project at a glance
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Length | 594 km (six lanes, expandable to eight) |
| Cost | ₹36,200 crore |
| Route | Meerut to Prayagraj, 12 districts |
| Adani Enterprises' share | 464 km (about 80%) |
| Travel time | About 11 hours to under 6 |
| Special feature | 3.5-km IAF emergency airstrip |
Background
Conceived as an infrastructure spine for Uttar Pradesh, the expressway links western industrial hubs with the culturally and agriculturally important east. In December 2021, Adani Enterprises won the contract to build three of the four designated stretches under a public-private partnership toll model.
Why It Matters
Slashing Meerut-Prayagraj travel to under six hours improves supply chains for farm produce, handicrafts and manufactured goods, and complements other connectivity pushes such as the Northeast rail drive.
“The Ganga Expressway is an economic corridor that will unlock the potential of eastern Uttar Pradesh,” said a senior UPEIDA official.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Ganga Expressway?
594 kilometres, among the longest expressways in India.
Which cities does it connect?
Meerut in the west to Prayagraj in the east, through 12 districts.
What was Adani Enterprises' role?
It built 464 km — about 80% of the length — under a toll model.
When was it inaugurated?
On 29 April 2026, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Does it have an airstrip?
Yes, a 3.5-km airstrip in Shahjahanpur for emergency IAF landings.
Sources
- Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA)
- Press Information Bureau, Government of India
Abhijit Chowdhury
Staff Reporter
Editorial administrator for Eastern Times.
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