Ganga Expressway to boost connectivity and economy in UP, say residents

Pankaj Shukla, present at the event venue, said the expressway -- positioned as an expressway-cum-industrial corridor -- will not only reduce travel time but also give fresh momentum to the states economic development. Another resident, Dharmendra Kumar Singh, said travel to Delhi would become easier and that the upcoming industrial corridor would hopefully attract investments.

The inauguration of the 594-km-long Ganga Expressway by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday has sparked optimism among residents, who believe it will significantly cut travel time and accelerate economic and industrial growth in Uttar Pradesh. Pankaj Shukla, present at the event venue, said the expressway -- positioned as an expressway-cum-industrial corridor -- will not only reduce travel time but also give fresh momentum to the state's economic development. Another local, Sanjay Singh, said the distance between Hardoi and Meerut can now be covered in just a few hours. ''Travel from Hardoi to Delhi will become much easier and safer,'' he added, describing the project as a key driver of economic growth. Anuradha Mishra, a principal of an inter-college, said the inauguration of the six-lane expressway from Mallawan town in Hardoi, often referred to as 'Chhoti Kashi', was a matter of pride for the region. She said the location, falling roughly midway along the expressway, may have influenced the government's selection for the launch. Vinod Singh Rajawat from Unnao expressed optimism about industries coming up across all 12 districts along the expressway, saying that it could generate employment for youth. Nitin Gupta of Madhavganj said reaching Prayagraj for a dip at the Sangam would now take only a few hours. Another resident, Dharmendra Kumar Singh, said travel to Delhi would become easier and that the upcoming industrial corridor would hopefully attract investments. Santosh Kumar Shukla from Mallawan said farmers would gain access to new markets and benefit from the reduced travel time, adding that they had received fair compensation for land. Another local from the same area, Saurabh Srivastava, expressed confidence that the expressway would ensure an all-round development of the region.