Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered the concessionaires of the Rs 36,000 crore Ganga Expressway project to expedite work for its timely completion.
The 594-km Expressway, which was earlier estimated to be ready before the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh 2025 (Jan-Feb), is now expected to be commissioned by November 2025.
The contract for developing the 594-km Ganga Expressway, divided into four sections, was awarded to Adani Enterprises and IRB Infrastructure Developers.
While Group 1 was awarded to IRB, the remaining sections, (Groups I, 3, 4), were awarded to the Adani Group by the nodal agency UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) following a bidding process.
Yesterday, Adityanath inspected the under-construction Expressway to review its progress in Hardoi, Shahjahanpur and Hapur districts.
The Expressway crisscrosses 12 UP districts viz. Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahar, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh and Prayagraj.
The CM instructed UPEIDA and construction agencies to expedite the work but maintain the quality as mandated. While, he expressed satisfaction over the progress in Groups 1 and 2, he directed for accelerating the work in Group 3 and 4, which are being undertaken by the Adani Group firm.
Yogi also undertook a 5 km ride to test road quality and comfort of one of India’s largest expressway projects, which will interlink the Eastern UP districts directly with the National Capital Region (NCR).
“The CM inspected the under-construction Ganga Expressway, and directed UPEIDA and the construction agencies to complete the project within the stipulated timeline, while maintaining the highest quality standards,” a government spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, he also reviewed the German technology being introduced in the project. He was also briefed on an advanced technology provided by Zurich University to enhance road quality and driving comfort.
Adityanath reviewed a 3.5 km-long airstrip being developed as part of the project for allowing emergency night landing of fighter aircraft. An air-show is scheduled on this airstrip on May 2-3 in his presence.
UPEIDA additional CEO Hari Pratap Shahi said the Expressway is being constructed in four sections under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation of the project in Shahjahanpur district on December 18, 2021.
The project is expected to significantly boost industrial and economic growth across UP by connecting small towns and rural areas to the mainstream economy. It will open new avenues for agriculture, trade, tourism, and investment.
The total cost of the Expressway, spanning more than 7,453 hectares, is estimated at Rs 36,230 crore.