Ganga Expressway a ‘new lifeline’ for UP’s development: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the Ganga Expressway in Hardoi and said the project, passing close to ‘Maa Ganga’, would become a “new lifeline” for Uttar Pradesh’s development in an era of modern progress.
Addressing a public gathering after inaugurating the project, PM Modi said, “The way Maa Ganga has been a lifeline for UP and the country, in the same way this expressway passing in her vicinity will become a new lifeline for the development of UP.”
Calling it a “remarkable coincidence”, he said his recent visits had kept him in the presence of the river Ganga, and that dedicating an expressway named after it reflected both development priorities and India’s civilisational heritage. “And now, I have been given the opportunity to dedicate this expressway, named after Maa Ganga, to the nation. This reflects our vision for development while showcasing our rich heritage,” the PM said.
Stretching 594 kilometres, this six-lane (expandable to eight lanes) access-controlled expressway has been built at an estimated cost of ₹36,230 crore. It connects 12 districts, including Meerut and Prayagraj, significantly reducing travel time between the two cities from 10–12 hours to around six hours.
A notable feature of the expressway is a 3.5-kilometre emergency landing strip in Shahjahanpur, designed to support both civilian and defence needs. The corridor is expected to emerge as a major economic driver, with integrated manufacturing and logistics hubs planned along its route. Improved connectivity is likely to benefit farmers by providing better access to markets, while also boosting tourism, generating employment, and strengthening the state’s overall economic landscape.
The Ganga Expressway will further integrate with other major road networks such as the Agra–Lucknow Expressway, forming a comprehensive high-speed connectivity grid across Uttar Pradesh. Together, these developments are aimed at enhancing logistics efficiency, attracting investment, and driving balanced regional growth across the state.
