UP on Fast Track: Ganga Expressway Inaugurated, ₹6,350 Cr Development Push Unveiled

Uttar Pradesh witnessed a major infrastructure and development push as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced and inaugurated a wide range of projects spanning roads, railways, healthcare, tourism and urban development during his two day visit on April 28 and 29.

At the centre of this development wave is the inauguration of the Ganga Expressway , a 594 km long access controlled greenfield corridor built at a cost of around ₹36,230 crore. The expressway connects 12 districts including Meerut, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi and Prayagraj, creating a seamless high speed link across western, central and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The new corridor is expected to cut travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj from nearly 10 to 12 hours to about 6 hours . It also carries a strategic feature, a 3.5 km emergency landing facility in Shahjahanpur , adding a defence dimension to the project. Along its route, industrial and logistics hubs covering more than 2,600 hectares are planned, aimed at strengthening manufacturing, supply chains and job creation.

In Varanasi, the Prime Minister participated in a Mahila Sammelan and unveiled development works worth about ₹6,350 crore . This includes over 48 completed projects and foundation laying for more than 112 new initiatives. The projects cover drinking water schemes, sewage treatment plants, road widening, railway over bridges, hospitals, tourism upgrades and urban infrastructure improvements.

Key highlights include a 500 bed multi super specialty hospital , expansion of water and sewer networks under AMRUT 2.0, redevelopment of major ghats like Assi and Dashashwamedh, and modernisation of public facilities including parks, sports infrastructure and old age homes. A solar power installation and traditional medicine centre were also inaugurated, reflecting a blend of modern infrastructure and cultural heritage .

Rail connectivity also received a major boost with the flagging off of two new trains: Banaras to Pune and Ayodhya to Mumbai , improving long distance travel and religious connectivity. The foundation was also laid for a new third and fourth railway line between Varanasi Junction and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction to ease congestion and improve freight movement.

The Ganga Expressway is expected to become part of a wider expressway network in Uttar Pradesh , linking major corridors and strengthening regional integration.

Overall, the initiatives mark a significant push towards connectivity, industrial growth, and urban transformation across Uttar Pradesh.