Haridwar: The alignment of the Ganga Expressway, one of India’s largest Greenfield expressway projects, has been changed to include Uttarakhand. The expressway, which currently runs 594 km from Meerut to Prayagraj, will now be extended to Haridwar via Amroha and Bijnor.
This decision was finalized after the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand reached an agreement. The Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) has prepared the new alignment, which adds a 140-km extension from Amroha to Haridwar.
It will link Haridwar with several districts in Purvanchal
The extension will provide direct connectivity to Bijnor district and link Haridwar with several districts in Purvanchal. Officials presented the new alignment at the Secretariat on Tuesday to Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan. The presentation included details on land acquisition, utility shifting, environmental clearance, and environmental impact assessment. UPEIDA officials assured that the project is progressing with careful planning to minimize delays.
Strong economic bridge between Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand
The extension is expected to serve as a strong economic bridge between Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. By connecting Haridwar, a major religious and tourist destination, with the expressway network, the project will boost tourism along the Ganga riverside and improve road connectivity for pilgrims and visitors.
New opportunities for local businesses
For Bijnor, the new alignment fulfills a long-standing demand to be connected to the expressway. The Amroha-Bijnor-Haridwar corridor will not only improve transport facilities but also open new opportunities for local businesses, agriculture, and tourism. With better road access, Bijnor’s cultural and natural attractions along the Ganga are expected to draw more visitors.
Expressway will begin from the right side of the river
Another important change in the alignment is its direction. Earlier, the expressway was planned to originate from the left side of the Ganga River in Haridwar. Now, it will begin from the right side of the river, making the route more feasible and practical for construction and connectivity.
Public Works Department Secretary Pankaj Pandey confirmed the new alignment, stating: “A presentation has been made by the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority at the Secretariat. The new alignment will connect Haridwar to Bijnor-Amroha.”
A transformative project for Uttar Pradesh
The Ganga Expressway is already considered a transformative project for Uttar Pradesh, passing through more than 12 districts from Meerut to Prayagraj. With the Haridwar extension, the expressway will further strengthen regional integration, reduce travel time, and promote balanced development across both states.
Once completed, the expressway will not only improve road infrastructure but also enhance economic activity, tourism, and cultural exchange between Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The project is expected to become a lifeline for millions of people traveling between western and eastern Uttar Pradesh and now to Uttarakhand.