In a bid to improve connectivity to the interior regions of Uttar Pradesh, the Ganga Expressway was conceived as an aspirational project. The 602-km Ganga Expressway route will pass through a number of districts between Meerut and Prayagraj, via Varanasi. To be built in two phases, the Ganga expressway will become the second-longest expressway after the 1,350-km Delhi-Mumbai expressway.
According to reports, the Ganga Expressway project is being constructed at a cost of Rs 36,000 crores and would require 6,556 hectares of land. The expressway will also have a 3.5-km long airstrip for emergency landing facilities for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The Ganga Expressway project was earlier planned to be operational before the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. The project is expected to be completed in April 2025.
The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (Yeida) has approved a 120-metre wide and 74.3-km-long expressway alignment, connecting Noida International Airport directly with the Ganga Expressway.
See also: All about Bharatmala project
Ganga Expressway Quick facts
| Expressway name | Ganga Expressway |
| Length | 594 km |
| Operational route | March or April 2025 |
| Lane | Six-lane expressway (expandable to eight lanes) |
| Main route | Meerut to Prayagraj |
| Major cities to be linked | Meerut, Bulandshahr, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Varanasi |
| Managed by | Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) |
| Developed by | National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) |
| Project model | Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) |
| Cost | Rs 37,350 crore |
| Speed limit | 120 kmph |
| Right of way width | 120 m |
| Public utility areas |
|
Ganga Expressway project details
More than half of the ganga express way will pass through western UP areas such as Meerut, Hapur, Amroha, Bulandshahr, Sambhal, Budaun and Shahjahanpur districts. The Ganga express highway will connect Eastern UP with western UP and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Ganga Expressway will link Garhmukteshwar of Hapur through Martyrs Memorial in Meerut. The next intersection will be at Bulandshahr, where a proposed industrial corridor is being developed. The Ganga expressway will then pass through Amroha known for the popular Vasudev temple. Further, it will connect Sambhal, where Kailadevi temple is located. The expressway corridor will then connect Badaun and be linked with the industrial corridor and Hanumant Dham.
Project cost
The Ganga Expressway project will be developed at a cost of around Rs 36,230 crores. It will be implemented in four groups (each having three packages). The cost of the civil works is estimated to be Rs 22,125 crores while Rs 9,255 crores has been estimated for buying the land.
Gautam Adani-led Adani Group will develop nearly 80 per cent of the Ganga expressway project covering 464 km section from Budaun in the western part of the state to Prayagraj in the eastern part. It has secured finances of Rs 10,238 crore from lenders. IRB Infrastructure Developers Limited will build the 129.7 km section from Meerut to Badaun.
Land acquisition
Around 7386 hectares of land is required for the expressway project wherein over 90% of land was purchased from 71,621 farmers in 2021. About 9% of the land in between Prayagraj and Meerut had to be cleared for constructing the Ganga Expressway.
Construction status
Reports mentioned that over 92% of land acquisition has been completed. The earthwork and foundation are underway across all sections.
Ganga Expressway route details
Ganga expressway Phase 1
The phase 1 project of the Ganga Expressway has been divided into 12 different packages. The phase 1 corridor is being developed at a total cost of Rs 37,350 crore, including the land acquisition cost of over Rs 9500 crore.
| Bijauli (Meerut) to Chandner (Hapur) | 48.9 km |
| Chandner (Hapur) to Mirzapur Dungal (Amroha) | 30 km |
| Mirzapur Dungal (Amroha) to Nagla Baraha (Budaun) | 50.7 km |
| Nagla Baraha (Budaun) to Binawar (Budaun) | 52.1 km |
| Binawar (Budaun)to Dari Gulau (Shahjahanpur) | 46.7 km |
| Dari Gulau (Shahjahanpur) to Ubariya Khurd (Hardoi) | 52.9 km |
| Ubariya Khurd (Hardoi) to Iksai (Hardoi) | 52.4 |
| Iksai (Hardoi) to Raiya Mao (Unnao) | 50.2 |
| Raiya Mao (Unnao) to Sarson (Unnao) | 53.1 km |
| Sarson (Unnao) to Terukha (Raebareli) | 51.8 km |
| Terukha (Raebareli) to Naudhiya (Pratapgarh) | 52 km |
| Naudhiya (Pratapgarh) to Judapur Dandu (Prayagraj District) | 53 km |
Under Phase II, the route of expressway will also stretch towards Tigri near Garhmukteshwar to the Uttarakhand border near Haridwar.
Ganga expressway Phase 1 districts and village list
| District | Villages covered |
| Meerut | Mawana, Parikshitgarh |
| Hapur | Babugarh, Pilkhuwa |
| Bulandshahr | Jahangirabad, Dibai |
| Amroha | Gajraula, Hasanpur |
| Sambhal | Chandausi, Bahjoi |
| Badaun | Dataganj, Sahaswan |
| Shahjahanpur | Powayan, Tilhar |
| Hardoi | Shahabad, Bilgram |
| Unnao | Safipur, Bangarmau |
| Raebareli | Lalganj, Bachhrawan |
| Pratapgarh | Kunda, Raniganj |
| Prayagraj | Handia, Phulpur |
The Ganga expressway village list includes 519 villages. The Ganga expressway district list comprises 12 districts in total.
Ganga expressway Phase 2 districts and village list
- Haridwar (Uttarakhand)
- Chandauli
- Ghazipur
- Ballia
The Phase 2 of Ganga Expressway will be a 400-km additional extension to Haridwar in the north and Ballia in the east, increasing the total length beyond 1000 km. The route will cover the following regions:
- Haridwar Extension (connecting to Uttarakhand)
- Ballia Extension (linking to Bihar)
Ganga Expressway to connect east, west Uttar Pradesh post Mahakumbh
The Ganga Expressway will connect east and west Uttar Pradesh post the Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025, according to media reports. Visitors going to the Mahakumbh Mela 2025, which began on January 13, 2025, and ends on February 26, 2025, have to take an alternative route as the expressway is not yet ready. Reports suggest that the Ganga Expressways is 67% ready and will be opened around November 2025.
Earlier, the expressway was scheduled for completion in December 2024 to ease commuting for people going to the Mahakumbh Mela being organised in Prayagraj (formerly known as Allahbad). However, the project has been facing significant delays owing to the restrictions imposed by the GRAP 4 or Graded Response Action Plan in Delhi-NCR areas, including Meerut, Hapur and Bulandshahr.
Ganga Expressway route map
See also: All you need to know about the Bundelkhand Expressway
Ganga Expressway project: Features and details
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the 600-km, six-lane Ganga Expressway on December 18, 2021. The Ganga Expressway is a greenfield, six-lane expressway project is being developed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), an authority set up by the Uttar Pradesh government to develop expressway projects across the state. The ganga express highway will cover 12 districts in the state of Uttar Pradesh and link 519 villages. The project will have an airstrip in Shahjahanpur for emergency landings and industrial clusters along the route and public utilities at nine places.
The expressway will be expandable to an eight-lane expressway, with a maximum speed limit of 120 kms per hour for vehicles. A 1-km bridge has been proposed along the expressway over river Ganga and another 720-metre bridge over river Ramganga. There will be a total of nine public convenience centres, 381 underpasses, 14 major bridges, 126 minor bridges, 929 culverts, 7 ROBs, 28 flyovers and 8 diamond interchanges along the expressway. Railway overbridges will have a width of 120 metre.
The right of way (ROW) has been proposed at 120 metre with a 3.75 m service road on one side of the expressway for local traffic.
Two main toll plazas will be set up in Meerut and Prayagraj and there will be 15 ramp toll plazas along the Ganga Expressway route. About 18,55,000 saplings will be planted along the Ganga expressway route for environmental protection. Solar power will be utilised for producing energy on the land acquired for the project.
The state has permitted the usage of fly ash to overcome the shortage of soil in construction. This will help cut carbon footprint and provide environmentally amenable disposal while ensuring faster completion of the project.
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, recently said that industrial clusters, an airstrip, helipads for emergency landings and operation of air-ambulances, public facilities like trauma centre will be come up along the route of Ganga expressway. He also said that around 96 per cent of the total required 7,386 hectares of land of 518 gram panchayats had been acquired for the Ganga expressway project.
Ganga Expressway connectivity with other expressways and highways (linking NCR with Bihar)
Agra-Moradabad National Highway: The Ganga expressway will be connected to the Agra-Moradabad National Highway near Laharvan village in Sambhal district, which is expected to boost road connectivity in these smaller towns. Further, overbridges will be constructed, including one over the Aligarh-Bareilly railway track.
Purvanchal expressway: The NHAI plans to connect the Ganga expressway with Purvanchal expressway in Ghazipur via Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Varanasi and Chandauli. Further, the authority plans to link Chitrakoot to Prayagraj through the Bundelkhand expressway, which will boost connectivity between the Vindhya – Kashi region.
Yamuna Expressway: The Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority is planning to connect the Ganga Expressway to the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar via the Yamuna Expressway. According to the project report, an 83-km long link road will connect the Ganga expressway to the Yamuna Expressway. There will be an interchange in Bulandshahr to provide direct connectivity to Jewar Airport.
The link road is being developed at a cost of Rs 4,000 crore. Land acquisition process in 57 villages across two district has been completed.
Delhi-Meerut Expressway: The National Highways Authority of India has planned to link the Delhi-Meerut Expressway arm with the Ganga Expressway. It will branch out near Modi Nagar at Zainuddinpur village from the Dasna-Meerut section of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway project. This will be a 14-km section, which will give direct access to travellers moving from western to eastern UP.
See also: Agra Lucknow Expressway: All you need to know
Toll rates for vehicles
The Ganga expressway has set new toll rates for different vehicles.
- Car or Van: The charges are Rs 145 for a one-way pass, Rs 200 for return pass and Rs 4905 for monthly pass.
- Bus or truck: The rates are Rs 455 for one-way pass, Rs 685 for return pass and Rs 15190 for monthly pass.
- Light commercial vehicles (LCV): The toll rates are Rs 225 for one-way pass, Rs 340 for return pass and Rs 7535 for monthly pass.
- HCM or EME: The charges are Rs 690 for one-way pass, Rs 1035 for return pass and Rs 23050 for monthly pass.
- Axle vehicle (up to 6): The toll rates are Rs 690 for one-way pass, Rs 1035 for return pass and Rs 23050 for monthly pass.
- Axle vehicle (more than 7): The toll rates are Rs 900 for one-way pass, Rs 1350 for return pass and Rs 30005 for monthly pass.
Permitted vehicles
All types of vehicles will be permitted to travel along the Ganga Expressway, which will include cars, trucks, vans, axles and jeeps. Moreover, commercial transport registered by the district authorities are also permitted to ply on the Ganga expressway route.
Also read about the Delhi Mumbai Expressway
Project timeline
| Dates | Event |
| 2007 | The UP govt launched Greater Noida-Balia expressway |
| January 2019 | Ganga Expressway project revived. |
| September 2019 | Alignments prepared. Consultant appointed to prepare detailed project report. |
| February 2020 | Rs 2,000 crores allocated for the construction of the expressway. |
| March 2021 | Land acquisition begins for the first phase of the Ganga express highway project. |
| September 2021 | 93% land acquisition for Ganga expressway completed. On September 2, 2021, the state cabinet gave its nod for the project. |
| December 2021 | PM laid the foundation stone of the Ganga expressway |
| April 2022 | Construction work started by Adani Enterprise in Binawar |
| March or April 2025 | Ganga expressway to be ready |
See also: All about the Samruddhi Mahamarg Mumbai Nagpur expressway
Ganga expressway real estate impact
The expressway will offer faster passenger and cargo movements and bolster industrial corridors, agricultural marketing value chains and tourism circuits along its route.
Once operational, the Ganga expressway will become the longest expressway in Uttar Pradesh, connecting the western and eastern regions of the state and providing improved connectivity to the national capital from eastern UP. It will also be linked with major corridors such as Purvanchal Expressway, Yamuna Expressway and Agra Lucknow expressway. Moreover, two junctions will be developed near Unnao, and the Lucknow-Kanpur expressway will be connected with the Ganga expressway through a ramp, enabling vehicles to move on both expressways.
See also: All about eastern peripheral expressway
Economic growth
Further, the expressway is expected to bolster economic activities along the route, including industrial development, trade, agriculture, and tourism. It will also boost socio-economic development around the region.
Commercial real estate
The government is planning to develop Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which are expected to steer commercial real estate developments around the region. According to the UPEIDA, industrial clusters comprising pharma parks, textile parks, plastic moulding units and industrial units of other sectors will be developed along all districts through which the Ganga Expressway will pass. Furthermore, there are plans for the development of food processing units, which will increase demand for other industries in the area. In terms of the residential real estate, the areas such as Kanpur, Prayagraj, Meerut, and Uttarakhand are expected to see increased housing demand due to improved road connectivity.
Residential real estate
The upcoming Ganga expressway will drive demand for residential properties along the corridor because of the growth in commercial sector and more people coming to region in search of jobs. Prominent cities such as Kanpur, Meerut and Prayagraj and regions of Uttarakhand will see significant impact.
Retail real estate
The Ganga Expressway will boost connectivity between Uttarakhand, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Agra via Agra Expressway at Kannuaj. These regions are expected to attract tourists, creating an increased demand for retail spaces and residential properties.
Property rates along the Ganga Expressway
| Location | Average property price per sqft | Average monthly rentals |
| Meerut | Rs 5,200 | Rs 13,600 |
| Shahjahanpur | Rs 5,500 | Rs 10,000 |
| Prayagraj | Rs 7,300 | Rs 11,800 |
| Varanasi | Rs 7,100 | Rs 15,200 |
Housing.com News Viewpoint
The development of the Ganga Expressway has increased real estate investment opportunities along the corridor. So, it is an ideal time to buy a property near the expressway. The prices are expected to increase in future as the expressway nears completion. It will be beneficial for those looking to earn rental income.
FAQs
The proposed Ganga Expressway is in Uttar Pradesh and will be a six-lane greenfield expressway.
Once completed, the Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg will be the longest expressway in India, at 701 kms.
Ganga Expressway will have a length of 594 kms.
Ganga Expressway will connect many districts of Uttar Pradesh like Hapur, Meerut, Bulandshahar, Sambhal, Amroha, Hardoi, Badaun, Unnao, Shahjahanpur, Prayagraj (Allahabad) and Rai Bareli.
Ganga Expressway will connect 519 villages in Uttar Pradesh.
The proposed maximum speed of vehicles on Ganga Expressway will be 120 km per hour.
According to Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEDIA), the project cost of Ganga Expressway will be Rs 36,000-Rs 42,000 crore. Where is Ganga Expressway?
Which is longest expressway in India?
What will be total length of the Ganga Expressway?
What districts will be connected by Ganga Expressway?
How many villages will be connected by Ganga Expressway?
What is the proposed speed of vehicles on Ganga Expressway?
What will be the project cost of constructing Ganga Expressway?
When will Ganga Expressway project start?
The project began after the prime minister laid the foundation stone of the Ganga Expressway in December 2021. The expressway will be ready in 2025.
Which are the districts covered by the Ganga expressway?
The Ganga expressway will cover major districts in Uttar Pradesh such as Meerut, Hapur, Buladshahar, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh and Prayagraj.
How far is Prayagraj from Meerut by Ganga Expressway?
Meerut to Prayagraj distance is 596 km through the Ganga expressway.
(With inputs from Surbhi Gupta)
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
