Ganga Expressway: All about PM Modi's ambitious project; foundation stone to be laid today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the 594-kilometre Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh today (December 18). The six-lane expressway, which costRs 36,230 crore is projected to be Uttar Pradesh's longest expressway.

PM Modi's programme to lay the foundation stone for the Ganga Expressway will begin at 12 p.m. at Railway Ground Rauza in Shahjahanpur. At 1 p.m., the foundation stone will be laid.

The high aiming project is backed by Mr Modi's vision to provide fast-paced connectivity across the country, said the PMO on December 16.

Ahead of the event, here's everything you need to know about the Ganga Expressway project

• Coverage- The expressway will run from Bijauli village in Meerut to Judapur Dandu village in Prayagraj. It will cover Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Budaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi,Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh and Prayagraj.

• Longest expressway in UP- It will be Uttar Pradesh's longest expressway when it is operational, connecting the state's western and eastern regions. On the expressway in Shahjahanpur,a 3.5-kilometre-long airstrip will be built to aid emergency take-off and landing of Air Force planes. Along the expressway, an industrial corridor has also been proposed.

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• Currently, travelling between Delhi and Prayagraj takes 10-12 hours. After the expressway gets operational it will take just 6-7 hours to travel the same distance.

• Multiple sectors benefit - The expressway will boost a range of sectors, including industrial development, trade, agriculture, tourism, and so on. The creation of food processing units,warehouses, agricultural markets, and milk-based enterprises will be aided by the Ganga Expressway. It will have a significant impact on the region's socio-economic development.

• The Mayawati-led government began seeking permission for this expressway far back in 2007. On November 26, 2020, the Ganga Expressway was approved and by 2024 it will be completed.

• The Ganga Expressway will include seven railway overbridges, 14 major bridges, 126 minor bridges, 375 underpasses, nine public convenience complexes, two toll plazas, and 15 ramp toll plazas.

• On the Ganga Expressway, 17 interchange facilities will be available.

• Along the Ganga Expressway, approximately 18,55,000 trees will be planted.

• The Ganga Expressway will serve as an industrial corridor connecting production plants, development hubs, and agricultural producing centres to the national capital.