Ganga Expressway Project: History, Major Cities & Key Facts for UPSC

The Ganga Expressway Project is a major highway project in India that aims to design and construct a six-lane expressway linking two major cities: Meerut and Prayagraj for Uttar Pradesh state. With an approximate length of 594 kilometers, the expressway will cut down travel time between the cities by a great extent. The project will also connect other towns along the highway, enabling free movement of people, doing business, and access to major points. The expressway will enable more secure and easier movement and make an overall contribution towards the region's development with the increased connectivity.

The Ganga Expressway Project is relevant for UPSC General Studies Paper II, which talks about development, governance, and infrastructure in India. In General Studies Paper III (Economic Development), this project would fit under topics like transport infrastructure and regional development.

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About the Ganga Expressway Project

Ganga Expressway is an ongoing road project of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. The expressway will connect Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh to Prayagraj in the east. The length of the expressway will be around 594 kilometers, one of the longest expressways of India. The project is under construction by Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA).

The expressway would connect most of the towns-Hapur, Amroha, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Farrukhabad, Kanpur, and Prayagraj-and thus cut travel time from Meerut to Prayagraj from present 12 hours to approximately 6-7 hours. The fast road would facilitate the movement of people as well as commodities to all regions of Uttar Pradesh and improve economic potential for the entire state.

History Behind the Construction of the Ganga Expressway

The Ganga Expressway is a concept put forth to pave the way for improved road conditions and fast travel between cities. Uttar Pradesh is growing very fast in population and commerce like many others in India. But the growth has not been accompanied by infrastructural growth of approaches, and it has resulted in the ghastly scenario of traffic jam, delay, and death.

The expressway has been envisaged by the state government with a view to encouraging transport and enriching the state. It was officially notified in 2020 as a component of a large government vision for developing infrastructure. It has also now been listed in the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) for India for world-class infrastructure.

The construction of expressways has been done in phases. Land acquisition has been mostly completed, and work is in progress. The expressway will be ready by 2024.

Read the article on the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)!

The Ganga Expressway connects several important cities in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The major cities covered by this expressway project are:

• Meerut: Meerut is located in western Uttar Pradesh. It is also important from industrial and educational perspectives. The expressway starts from Meerut.
• Hapur: Hapur is a growing city in the state. It is renowned for industries and agriculture.
• Amroha: Amroha is another vital segment of the expressway, located in central Uttar Pradesh.
• Bareilly: A major city to be connected with the expressway, where it has so much to offer in education and business.
• Shahjahanpur: An ancient city that will be blessed with this expressway by connecting the rural belts of Uttar Pradesh better.
• Farrukhabad: A central Uttar Pradesh city that will be affected by this expressway, thus determining its future growth patterns.
• Kanpur: It is a big industrial city, and Kanpur will be more connected to the rest of the state through the expressway.
• Prayagraj: The end point of the expressway, Prayagraj is a very historical and religious city.

These cities will be more connected, facilitating the flow of services, people, and goods.

Read the article on the Types of Roads in India!

Key Facts About the Ganga Expressway Project

Some of the important facts about the Ganga Expressway Project are:

• Length: The expressway is going to be around 594 kilometers in length, making it one of India's largest expressways.
• Time Saved: It is going to save around 12 hours of travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj, reducing it to around 6-7 hours.
• Cost: The cost of the whole project is around ₹36,230 crore.
• Completion: The expressway will be completed by 2024.
• Six-Lane Road: It will be an expressway with a width of six lanes, with proper planning for future expansion to eight lanes.
• Land Acquisition: The majority of the land for the expressway is already acquired.
• Economic Benefits: The expressway will help in enhancing trade, tourism, and the transport of agri-products within the state.
• Environmental Impact: Measures are being adopted to reduce environmental degradation during expressway construction, such as evading deforestation and the conservation of different ecosystems.
• Other Features: It will have toll booths, service stations, and rest stops for the comfort and security of commuters.

Read the article on the India Infrastructure Project Development Fund (IIPDF)!

Key Takeaways on Ganga Expressway Project for UPSC Aspirants The overview of the Ganga Expressway: The Ganga Expressway covers a length of 594 km and is intended mainly to decrease and improve travel and transportation within Uttar Pradesh. It goes from Meerut to Prayagraj. Project Significance: The expressway will be a catalyst for regional development with improved connectivity for economic growth, increased trade and tourism along the Ganga River. Time Table of Construction: The construction of the Ganga expressway is slated to be completed by 2024. Construction activities are underway in phases and land acquisition stands at nearly 94 percent complete. Important Cities Included: The expressway will link important cities in Uttar Pradesh, i.e., Meerut, Hapur, Bareilly, Kanpur, and Prayagraj, enhancing trade, agriculture, and connectivity to tourism destinations.

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