Ganga Expressway to Haridwar: 90-Minute Ride from Meerut Gets Cabinet Nod

The Uttarakhand cabinet on Friday gave its approval to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Uttar Pradesh for extending the Ganga Expressway from Meerut to Haridwar. The decision is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities, bringing it down to about 90 minutes from the current three hours.

The Ganga Expressway is an ambitious infrastructure project being developed by the Uttar Pradesh government. Once fully operational, the expressway will connect the state's western and eastern regions, starting from Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh and terminating at Prayagraj in the southeastern part of the state. It is designed as a six-lane, access-controlled highway with provision for future expansion to eight lanes.

The extension from Meerut to Haridwar will extend this network into Uttarakhand, providing seamless connectivity to the holy town of Haridwar, a major pilgrimage and tourism hub. The project is expected to boost economic activity in both states by facilitating faster movement of goods and people.

According to a state government spokesperson, the MoU will now be signed between the two state governments. The extension will be implemented by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), which is already overseeing the construction of the main Ganga Expressway. The authority will handle land acquisition and construction in both states as per the agreement.

The Ganga Expressway project, estimated to cost around Rs 36,000 crore, is being constructed under a public-private partnership model. The main section between Meerut and Prayagraj is scheduled to be completed by 2025. The extension to Haridwar is likely to add another stretch of approximately 60-70 km to the network; however, the detailed project report for the extension is yet to be prepared.

The approval is seen as a major step toward enhancing connectivity in the region. For thousands of pilgrims who visit Haridwar every year, the expressway will offer a faster and more comfortable journey. It will also facilitate easier access to the Char Dham Yatra route that begins from Haridwar, potentially boosting religious tourism in Uttarakhand.

The cabinet decision was part of a broader agenda to strengthen infrastructure in the state. Officials said the project would generate employment opportunities during its construction phase and subsequently contribute to the local economy.

Environmental groups have raised concerns about the impact of the expressway on the Ganga river ecosystem, particularly in the ecologically sensitive regions near Haridwar. However, project authorities have stated that appropriate measures will be taken to minimise environmental damage, including the construction of wildlife crossings and pollution control systems.

With the cabinet approval, the project now awaits the formal signing of the MoU and subsequent clearances. The timeline for the completion of the extension will depend on land acquisition and the finalisation of the project report.