Ganga Expressway will not only connect districts but also hearts: UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Following the foundation laying ceremony of Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said the expressway will not only connect the districts of the state but also connect hearts.

With the aim to improve connectivity and boost economic development across Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur on Saturday.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya were also present at the inauguration event.

Addressing the event, the chief minister said, "Before 2014, slogans and announcements in the country used to be limited to elections promises only. But after 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dealt with all those issues which used to be neglected earlier."

"Just a few days ago, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Purvanchal Expressway. Today the foundation stone of Ganga Expressway is being laid which will connect East Uttar Pradesh with West and North. Prime Minister paid his respect to Maa Ganga. Ganga Expressway will not only connect many districts of the state but also connect the hearts," added Yogi Adityanath.

According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the inspiration behind the expressway is the vision of the Prime Minister to provide fast-paced connectivity across the country.

The 594-kilometre long six-lane expressway will be built at a cost of over Rs 36,200 crore.Starting near the Bijauli village in Meerut, the expressway will extend till near the Judapur Dandu village in Prayagraj. It will pass through Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Sambhal, Budaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh and Prayagraj.

Upon completion of work, it will become the longest expressway of Uttar Pradesh, connecting the western and eastern regions of the state.

A 3.5-kilometre long air-strip for assisting emergency take-off and landing of Air Force planes will also be constructed on the expressway in Shahjahanpur. An industrial corridor is also proposed to be built along the expressway.

The expressway will also give a fillip to multiple sectors including industrial development, trade, agriculture, tourism etc. It will provide a big boost to the socio-economic development of the region.

The Ganga Expressway was approved on November 26, 2020. This expressway will be completed by 2024.

Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh are slated for early next year.

( With inputs from ANI )