Uttar Pradesh’s Ganga Expressway | 05 Jan 2024

Why in News?

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) to expedite the construction of the ‘Ganga Expressway,’ aiming for completion by the end of 2024.

• Uttar Pradesh has four expressways in the top 10 in India by length. With the Ganga Expressway, it will have five in the top 10.

Key Points

• This Ganga Expressway project is a significant development poised to reshape Uttar Pradesh’s infrastructure and a strategic initiative ahead of the Mahakumbh in 2025.
• The Ganga Expressway is the second-longest expressway in the country following the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway.
  
  • It is an ambitious undertaking with a projected length of 594 kilometers.
  • It is poised to redefine travel efficiency and stimulate economic growth across its vast corridor.
• Ganga Expressway Features:
  
  • This expressway, connecting the state from east to west, will traverse 518 villages across 12 districts, significantly reducing travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj.
  • It is designed to accommodate six lanes initially, expandable to eight lanes, boasting a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour.
  • Another important feature includes two long bridges spanning the Ganga and Ramganga rivers, allowing even big planes to land. A 3.50-kilometer airstrip near Jalalabad tehsil in Shahjahanpur adds to the project’s versatility.
  • To enhance public convenience, nine public amenities complexes are planned along the expressway, with main toll plazas at Meerut and Prayagraj, and ramp toll plazas at 15 locations.
• The Ganga Expressway is not merely a transportation link but a testament to Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to modernising its connectivity landscape.