The 594-km-long Ganga Expressway, one of Uttar Pradesh’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, is expected to open for traffic in the final week of March. The state government is preparing to approach the Prime Minister’s Office to invite Narendra Modi to inaugurate the flagship corridor.
According to a report by The Times of India, the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority) has indicated that the formal launch is likely to take place between March 25 and March 31. Officials familiar with the project say preparations are progressing rapidly, with the authority targeting full operational readiness soon after the inauguration.
The six-lane expressway is scheduled to become fully functional from April 1. Notably, the commencement of toll operations has been aligned with the start of the 2026–27 financial year, a move aimed at strengthening revenue generation. The timing, officials suggest, is intended to optimise financial planning and maximise early returns from the project.
Constructed at a cost exceeding Rs 36,200 crore, the Ganga Expressway represents a significant investment in the state’s road infrastructure. The foundation stone for the project was laid by Prime Minister Modi in December 2021, after which construction activities accelerated across multiple segments of the corridor.
Strategically designed to enhance connectivity, the expressway begins at Bijoli village in Meerut and extends to Judapur Dandu village in Prayagraj. The alignment has been carefully chosen to attract traffic not only from western Uttar Pradesh but also from the National Capital Region (NCR) and the eastern parts of the state.
Bijoli village is located near the Meerut–Hapur highway, providing seamless access to key urban centres and existing road networks. On the eastern end, Judapur Dandu lies close to the Phaphamau–Pratapgarh highway, further improving regional connectivity. The corridor is expected to significantly reduce travel time while facilitating smoother movement of goods and passengers.
Srihari Pratap Shahi, Additional Chief Executive Officer of UPEIDA, stated that final preparations are underway. He confirmed that trials of the toll management system have already commenced at several exit points along the expressway. These trials are intended to ensure that toll collection mechanisms function efficiently once traffic begins.
Shahi also noted that technical specialists have been deployed to assess ride quality and pavement smoothness. These evaluations are considered crucial to guaranteeing a safe and comfortable driving experience for commuters. “We are planning to allow movement of motor vehicles on the stretch by April 1 at the latest,” he said, adding that the final decision will be taken after consultations with senior government officials.
The Ganga Expressway project was executed through four construction packages, each assigned to different contractors to expedite development. Authorities report that all packages have met state-imposed deadlines, reflecting what officials describe as close monitoring and coordinated execution.
A total of 1,498 structures, including bridges, flyovers, and interchanges, were required as part of the project. Officials have confirmed that all these structures have been completed and are ready for traffic. This extensive network of supporting infrastructure is expected to play a critical role in ensuring uninterrupted travel along the nearly 600-km corridor.
Once operational, the Ganga Expressway is expected to transform road travel across Uttar Pradesh, offering faster, safer, and more efficient connectivity between major regions of the state. For commuters and businesses alike, the countdown to its opening has now entered the final phase.
