Travelling between Meerut and Haridwar could soon become much faster, with the Uttarakhand Cabinet approving an MoU with Uttar Pradesh for the proposed extension of the Ganga Expressway to Haridwar. The project is expected to boost road connectivity between the two states and possibly reduce the journey time from around three hours to approximately 90 minutes. Read on to know more.
Meerut-Haridwar Extension Of Ganga Expressway Gets Approval
According to a report by the Economic Times, the Cabinet’s decision marks a major step towards extending the Ganga Expressway from Meerut into Uttarakhand. The proposed corridor will offer a faster road link between western Uttar Pradesh and Haridwar, an essential pilgrimage and tourism hub.
The improved connectivity is expected to benefit travellers heading to Haridwar for tourism, religious visits and business, while also promoting the movement of goods between the two states.
The wider Ganga Expressway system is connected with several important cities and districts, including Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Raebareli, Pratapgarh and Prayagraj, with the proposed extension taking the corridor towards Haridwar through the region around Bijnor and Amroha.
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How Will The Extension Help Daily Commuters?
The proposed Meerut-Haridwar link could substantially cut travel time, especially for people travelling from western Uttar Pradesh. The shorter journey could also make weekend trips and travel during major festivals and religious occasions more convenient, when Haridwar sees a sharp rise in visitors.
The extension could also support religious tourism in Uttarakhand. Haridwar acts as a key gateway for pilgrims travelling further into the state, including those heading towards the Char Dham destinations. Better connectivity between Meerut and Haridwar could therefore make the first leg of these journeys easier and potentially improve access to onwards road networks leading towards the Char Dham route.
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The wider Ganga Expressway project is planned as a major east-west road corridor across Uttar Pradesh. Once its various links and extensions are finished, the network is expected to span more than 1,049 km, strengthening road connectivity across Uttar Pradesh and towards neighbouring Uttarakhand.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
FAQs
What is the proposed route of the Ganga Expressway?
The Phase-1 Ganga Expressway spans 594 km, connecting Bijauli village in Meerut to Judapur Dandu in Prayagraj across 12 districts in Uttar Pradesh.
What is the speed limit on the Meerut Expressway?
The speed limit on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway varies by section for cars and light vehicles: 70 km/h within Delhi, 100 km/h in the Ghaziabad stretch, and up to 120 km/h on the open section between Dasna and Meerut.
What is the new road project in Meerut?
Meerut has several major ongoing road projects. The primary ones include the first phase of the Outer Ring Road (connecting Mawana Road to NH-58), the Kila Road four-lane upgrade and bridge project (costing ₹108 crore), and Uttar Pradesh's first green road project on Garh Road.