The Uttar Pradesh government has given its crucial approval for the construction of a major new greenfield expressway worth Rs 1,246 crore. This significant infrastructure project is designed to create a seamless high-speed link between the upcoming Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar and the massive Ganga Expressway. The decision was taken during a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Strategic Connectivity for a Mega Infrastructure Hub
The proposed expressway is not just another road; it is a strategic connector that will integrate two of the state's most ambitious infrastructure undertakings. On one end is the Jewar airport, which is poised to become one of the largest aviation hubs in Asia upon completion. On the other is the Ganga Expressway, a 594-kilometer-long corridor that will stretch from Meerut to Prayagraj, transforming logistics and travel across western Uttar Pradesh.
This new link road will ensure that travelers and cargo from the airport can directly access the Ganga Expressway, facilitating faster movement to key cities like Meerut, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, and Prayagraj. The project underscores the state's focus on creating an integrated multi-modal transport network that leverages the synergy between air and road connectivity.
Project Specifications and Timeline
The cabinet has cleared the proposal for the 14.5-kilometer-long, six-lane access-controlled expressway. The detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared, and the construction will be executed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA). The expressway is designed to be built on the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), a public-private partnership framework that has been successfully used for several national highway projects.
The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 1,246.40 crore. The state cabinet's approval is the final administrative green light required before the tendering and construction phases can begin in earnest. This move signals the government's commitment to ensuring that the road connectivity is developed in tandem with the airport's progress, avoiding any last-minute delays.
Boosting Economic Growth and Regional Development
The implications of this expressway approval are far-reaching for the National Capital Region (NCR) and western Uttar Pradesh.
Enhanced Logistics: The direct link will drastically reduce travel time for goods transported from the airport to the industrial and agricultural heartlands along the Ganga Expressway, boosting export efficiency.
Real Estate and Investment: Areas surrounding the new expressway junction are likely to see a surge in real estate development, logistics parks, and warehousing facilities, attracting significant private investment.
Tourism Potential: Improved connectivity will make tourist destinations in the region, including those in the Braj and Prayagraj areas, more accessible to international and domestic tourists arriving via the Jewar airport.
The approval of this Rs 1,246 crore expressway is a concrete step towards realizing the vision of a well-connected Uttar Pradesh. It ensures that the massive investment in the Noida International Airport is fully leveraged by providing it with a robust road network, ultimately driving economic growth, creating jobs, and positioning the state as a premier logistics gateway in North India.
