Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, inaugurated the long-awaited Ganga Expressway in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, formally opening what is now India’s longest expressway. The 594-kilometre access-controlled greenfield corridor links Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh to Prayagraj in the east, passing through 12 districts and over 519 villages. The project, built at a cost of approximately ₹36,230 crore, is being seen as one of the biggest infrastructure milestones in the country in recent years.
The inauguration was held at a large public event in Hardoi, where thousands of people, ministers, members of Parliament, MLAs, and senior administrative officials had gathered. Before heading to Hardoi, PM Modi first visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and offered prayers. He also visited an exhibition set up by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), which showcased the Ganga Expressway and the broader expressway network being built across UP.
How the Idea Was Born — A Long Road to Reality
The story of the Ganga Expressway is not new. The idea was first floated in 2007 by then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, who had proposed it as a Greater Noida–Ballia Expressway. However, the plan stayed on paper for many years and saw no real progress.
The project was revived in 2019 by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who allocated an initial budget of ₹2,000 crore for construction of Phase-1. Land acquisition began the same year and was largely completed by 2021. The project received environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in November 2021, after which the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved a budget of ₹36,230 crore for the project.
Prime Minister Modi had laid the foundation stone of the Ganga Expressway in December 2021, and construction officially began in April 2022. The contracts were awarded to Adani Enterprises and IRB Infrastructure. By late 2023, major groundwork including earthworks, clearing, and grubbing was largely done. By April 2026, Phase-1 had achieved 100 percent completion — all 1,498 structures were fully built, and every layer of the road including earthwork, GSB, WMM, and DBM on the main carriageway was 100 percent done.
What the Route Looks Like — 12 Districts, 519 Villages
The Ganga Expressway begins at Bijauli in Meerut and ends at Judhapur Dandu in Prayagraj. Along the way, it passes through the districts of Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, and Pratapgarh. In total, 519 villages across these 12 districts fall along the expressway’s path.
The expressway is a 6-lane corridor which can be expanded to 8 lanes in the future, depending on traffic demand. It has been designed as an access-controlled highway, meaning there are no free entry or exit points — vehicles can only enter or exit at designated interchanges, which helps maintain high-speed, uninterrupted traffic flow.
Two major river crossings are part of the expressway. The road crosses the Ganga river at Brajghat in Hapur over a 1-kilometre-long bridge. Downstream, a 720-metre bridge crosses the Ramganga river. Both crossings offer sweeping views and are expected to become popular spots along the route.
Travel Time Cut from 11 Hours to 6-7 Hours
Perhaps the most immediately felt change for ordinary travellers is the cut in travel time. Earlier, the journey from Meerut to Prayagraj by road took anywhere between 11 and 12 hours due to heavy traffic, poor road conditions, and multiple towns along the way. With the Ganga Expressway now open, the same journey is expected to take just 6 to 7 hours.
The benefit is not just for people travelling between Meerut and Prayagraj. Residents of Delhi, Noida, and Haryana will also benefit significantly. Vehicles coming from Delhi-NCR will be able to connect to the expressway near Meerut and drive all the way to Prayagraj without dealing with the usual congestion of UP’s highways.
One-way toll for a car on this expressway is estimated to be around ₹1,800. The toll collection system has been set up to ensure proper maintenance and smooth operation of the expressway.
The Airstrip That Can Land Fighter Jets — Day and Night
One of the most talked-about features of the Ganga Expressway is a 3.5-kilometre-long airstrip built in Shahjahanpur district. This Emergency Landing Facility allows Indian Air Force fighter jets and transport aircraft to take off and land on the expressway.
What makes this airstrip special is that it is the first in the country that can handle both day and night landings of fighter jets. Earlier airstrips built on expressways — including those on the Lucknow-Agra and Purvanchal expressways — were only usable during daylight hours. The Indian Air Force had already conducted a landing and take-off drill on this airstrip in May 2025 to test its readiness.
In a country where security and strategic preparedness matter greatly, especially after the events of 2025, this dual-use feature adds significant military value to the expressway.
27 Industrial Clusters and Lakhs of Jobs on the Way
The Ganga Expressway is not just a road — it is also the spine of a new economic corridor. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was present at the inauguration alongside PM Modi, announced that 27 integrated industrial clusters and logistics hubs are being developed at different points along the expressway.
Industries expected to come up include pharma parks, textile parks, and IT parks. Plans are also in place for an industrial city near Meerut at the western end of the expressway. Kanpur, which sits close to the central portion of the expressway network, is expected to become a major node for industrial and economic activity.
The government is also planning to develop the expressway as part of a larger Hub and Spoke industrial corridor model, which means smaller roads will branch out from the expressway to connect nearby industrial areas.
According to a PMO release, the expressway will provide farmers with direct access to urban and export markets, which will help them get better prices for their produce and reduce post-harvest waste.
Over 1 Lakh Farmers Gave Their Land — Here’s Their Role
One of the quietly significant parts of this project is how more than one lakh farmers from 12 districts gave their land to make this expressway possible. The government acquired approximately 18,000 acres from farmers for the expressway itself, and an additional 7,000 acres are being acquired for the industrial clusters and logistics hubs along the road.
CM Yogi expressed gratitude to the farmers and said this was made possible by a transparent land acquisition policy. The participation of local farming communities is being seen as a key reason why the project moved forward without major legal delays.
What PM Modi Said at the Inauguration
Speaking at the gathering in Hardoi, PM Modi began his address by paying tribute to the sacred land associated with Lord Narasimha and the divine presence of Maa Ganga flowing nearby. He described the region as a land blessed both spiritually and naturally.
“The boon of expressways to Uttar Pradesh is also a blessing from Maa Ganga herself,” Modi said, highlighting how the expressway would transform travel to sacred sites and religious events across the state.
The Prime Minister described the Ganga Expressway as a symbol of new India’s development pace and said that development was now moving faster than the expressways themselves. He also spoke of the UP government’s commitment to completing every project that was started.
What CM Yogi Adityanath Said
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while addressing the gathering, called the moment historic and said the expressway would serve as a major medium for the progress of farmers, employment for youth, preservation of faith and culture, and the overall prosperity of Uttar Pradesh.
“The foundation stone laid by the Prime Minister in December 2021 has now taken a concrete shape,” Yogi said. “This 594-kilometre-long expressway will serve as a major medium for the progress of farmers, employment for youth, preservation of faith and culture, and the prosperity of Uttar Pradesh. Stretching from Meerut to Prayagraj, this modern infrastructure has been shaped with the contribution of more than 1 lakh farmers from 12 districts.”
The CM also noted that the expressways being built across UP are not just roads but are linked to larger industrial projects including the Defence Manufacturing Corridor.
Who Else Was Present at the Inauguration?
The inauguration was attended by a large number of senior leaders and officials. These included Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Union Minister of State for Finance and BJP State President Pankaj Chaudhary, Union Minister Jitin Prasada, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, and several cabinet ministers including Suresh Kumar Khanna, Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, Nitin Agarwal, Aseem Arun, and Rajni Tiwari. A live programme was also held at Bijauli in Meerut, with seating arranged for around 5,000 people along with screens and CCTV cameras.
How It Connects to Bigger Plans — Phase 2 and Beyond
The Ganga Expressway that was inaugurated today is Phase 1 of a much larger vision. Phase 2, which is under development, will extend the expressway further in two directions. One spur will go 110 kilometres northwest from Bulandshahr via Meerut all the way to Haridwar. Another spur will extend 314 kilometres southeast from Prayagraj towards Ballia. Phase 2 has already received a ₹50 crore budget allocation for pre-construction activities.
A 74.3-kilometre Ganga-Yamuna Expressway is also being planned, which will connect the Ganga Expressway at Bulandshahr to the Yamuna Expressway at Pari Chowk in Greater Noida. This link will connect the Ganga Expressway to the upcoming Noida International Airport at Jewar, the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, the Western Peripheral Expressway, and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
In short, the Ganga Expressway is not a standalone project — it is becoming a critical part of India’s wider national highway grid.
Tourism Boost — Prayagraj, Maha Kumbh, and More
The expressway has special importance for religious tourism. Prayagraj, which is one of India’s most sacred cities and the site of the world’s largest religious gathering, the Maha Kumbh and Magh Mela, will now be much easier to reach for millions of pilgrims and tourists. The 2025 Maha Kumbh had already seen record attendance, and better road connectivity is expected to make future editions even more accessible.
Other towns and smaller religious spots along the 12-district route, which were earlier hard to reach, are also expected to see more visitors. This is likely to give a boost to local economies, small businesses, hotels, and tourism-related livelihoods.
Key Facts at a Glance
Inaugurated: April 29, 2026 by PM Modi
Total length: 594 kilometres
Route: Meerut (Bijauli) to Prayagraj (Judhapur Dandu)
Cost: Approximately ₹36,230 crore
Districts covered: 12
Villages covered: 519
Lanes: 6 (expandable to 8)
Travel time reduction: From 11-12 hours to 6-7 hours
Airstrip: 3.5 km in Shahjahanpur for day and night IAF landings
Industrial clusters: 27 along the corridor
Farmers who gave land: Over 1 lakh
Land acquired: ~18,000 acres (expressway) + ~7,000 acres (industrial use)
Foundation stone: December 2021 by PM Modi
FAQs
Q1. What is the Ganga Expressway and where does it run?
The Ganga Expressway is a 594-kilometre-long, 6-lane access-controlled greenfield expressway in Uttar Pradesh. It starts from Bijauli in Meerut and ends at Judhapur Dandu in Prayagraj. It is the longest expressway in India and passes through 12 districts — Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh, and Prayagraj.
Q2. How much did the Ganga Expressway cost to build?
The Ganga Expressway was built at a total cost of approximately ₹36,230 crore. This includes the cost of construction as well as land acquisition. Over 18,000 acres of land were acquired from more than one lakh farmers across the 12 districts for the expressway alone, with an additional 7,000 acres being acquired for industrial clusters and logistics hubs along the route.
Q3. How much time will it take to travel from Meerut to Prayagraj now?
Earlier, the journey from Meerut to Prayagraj by road took 11 to 12 hours because of traffic congestion and the condition of older highways. With the Ganga Expressway now open, the same journey is expected to take approximately 6 to 7 hours. People coming from Delhi, Noida, and Haryana will also benefit greatly as they can connect to the expressway near Meerut.
Q4. What is special about the airstrip on the Ganga Expressway?
A 3.5-kilometre-long Emergency Landing Facility has been built on the expressway in Shahjahanpur district. This airstrip can be used by Indian Air Force fighter jets and transport aircraft for emergency landings and take-offs. What makes it unique is that it is the first airstrip on any expressway in India that is designed to work both during the day and at night. Earlier airstrips built on expressways like Lucknow-Agra and Purvanchal were only usable in daylight. The IAF had already tested this airstrip with actual landings and take-offs in May 2025.
Q5. Who built the Ganga Expressway — which companies were involved?
The construction contracts for the Ganga Expressway were awarded to Adani Enterprises and IRB Infrastructure. The project is managed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), which is the government agency responsible for planning and executing expressway projects in Uttar Pradesh.
Q6. Will the Ganga Expressway be extended in the future?
Yes. The Phase 1, which was inaugurated today, covers 594 km from Meerut to Prayagraj. Phase 2 is already being planned and will extend the expressway in two directions. One extension of 110 km will go from Bulandshahr-Meerut all the way to Haridwar. Another extension of 314 km will go from Prayagraj towards Ballia. Additionally, a 74.3-km Ganga-Yamuna link expressway will connect the Ganga Expressway to the Yamuna Expressway near Noida, giving direct access to the upcoming Noida International Airport at Jewar.
Q7. What is the toll charge for the Ganga Expressway?
The one-way toll for a private car on the Ganga Expressway is estimated to be around ₹1,800. The toll collection system has been set up to fund regular maintenance and smooth operations of the expressway. The exact toll amounts for different types of vehicles will be officially notified by UPEIDA.
Q8. How will the Ganga Expressway help farmers?
The expressway will give farmers across 12 districts much faster and easier access to big markets in Meerut, Delhi, Prayagraj, and other cities. This means farm produce like vegetables, fruits, and grains can be transported quickly, reducing waste after harvest and helping farmers get better prices. The government has said the expressway will improve supply chain efficiency and strengthen rural incomes across the region.
Q9. How many industrial hubs will come up along the expressway?
As many as 27 integrated industrial clusters and logistics hubs are being developed at different points along the Ganga Expressway. These are expected to bring in new investment and create direct and indirect employment for the youth of Uttar Pradesh. Industries being planned include pharma parks, textile parks, and IT parks. An industrial city near Meerut is also being developed adjacent to the expressway.
Q10. When was the foundation stone of the Ganga Expressway laid?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ganga Expressway in December 2021. Construction began in April 2022 and was completed fully by April 2026, when PM Modi also inaugurated the expressway. The entire project — from foundation stone to inauguration — was completed and opened by the same Prime Minister, which the government highlighted as a symbol of its commitment to completing infrastructure projects on time.