Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has approved two major decisions aimed at expanding the state’s expressway network, strengthening regional connectivity and giving a boost to religious tourism and industrial development.
At a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the government approved a proposal to extend the Ganga Expressway up to Haridwar at an estimated cost of ₹10,761 crore. It also cleared the development of the Jhansi Link Expressway in Bundelkhand at an estimated cost of ₹7,968.30 crore.
The proposed Ganga Expressway extension will be developed as a six-lane greenfield highway, with provision for future expansion to eight lanes. The entire financial burden of the project is expected to be borne by the Uttar Pradesh government, with no financial participation from the Centre currently proposed.
Following the Cabinet approval, further action, including preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), will be undertaken.
Bijnor-Haridwar Connectivity to Improve
The extension is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Bijnor and Haridwar. At present, NH-34, connecting Meerut, Bijnor and Haridwar, is one of the major road links available in the region.
With the Ganga Expressway reaching Haridwar, Bijnor is expected to gain faster access to the Uttarakhand city as well as improved connectivity with Lucknow through the expressway network. The project is likely to facilitate trade, investment, industrial activity and economic growth along the route.
Faster Link Between Prayagraj and Haridwar
The extension will also create a faster, access-controlled road corridor between Prayagraj and Haridwar, two major pilgrimage cities associated with the Kumbh tradition and located along the Ganga.
Officials and policymakers expect improved connectivity to make travel easier for pilgrims and tourists, while strengthening religious and spiritual tourism between the two cities. Tourism-linked businesses and local economic activity in Bijnor, Haridwar and other areas along the corridor are also expected to benefit.
The project is likely to generate employment during construction and create additional direct and indirect livelihood opportunities as tourism, trade and allied economic activities expand.
₹7,968 Crore Jhansi Link Expressway Approved
The Cabinet has also approved the Jhansi Link Expressway project at an estimated cost of ₹7,968.30 crore, marking a major infrastructure push in the Bundelkhand region.
The proposed expressway is expected to provide improved connectivity to the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) area, the Defence Corridor and key locations around Jhansi. It will facilitate faster and safer movement of people and goods between these industrial and strategic zones and other parts of Uttar Pradesh and the country.
The entire estimated project expenditure is expected to be borne by the state government, with no financial participation from the Centre proposed at present.
Boost Expected for Industry and Investment
The Jhansi Link Expressway is being viewed as an important component of Bundelkhand’s emerging industrial infrastructure. Better road connectivity to BIDA and the Defence Corridor could help attract investment, support manufacturing and logistics, and improve the movement of raw materials and finished goods.
The government is expected to initiate the next stages of the project soon after the Cabinet approval, with the objective of completing construction within a defined timeframe.
Together, the two projects are expected to strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s expressway-led connectivity network while supporting tourism, industry, trade, investment and employment across eastern, western and Bundelkhand regions of the state.
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