Monsoon Challenges in Construction
The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) is facing difficulties due to the prolonged monsoon, which is affecting the completion of the Ganga Expressway. The authority aims to make the main carriageway functional before the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, set to take place in early 2025.
Progress on Ganga Expressway Construction
Despite the challenges, around 80% of the earthwork has been completed on a 300 km stretch of the 594 km-long expressway from Meerut to Unnao. UPEIDA is working to meet the December 31, 2024, deadline, focusing on completing the remaining earthwork as soon as possible.
Issues in Packages 3 and 4
While work on the first two packages of the expressway has been completed, monsoon-induced waterlogging has delayed progress on packages 3 and 4, which cover a stretch of 125-150 km. UPEIDA is seeking 1 crore cubic meters of fly ash to help complete the remaining earthwork.
Chief Minister’s Push for Timely Completion
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed officials to prioritize the completion of the expressway ahead of the Kumbh Mela, which starts on January 14, 2025. UPEIDA’s CEO Manoj Kumar Singh acknowledges the challenges but remains optimistic about meeting the December 31 deadline.
Current Status of Construction Work
The latest report from UPEIDA indicates:
- 81% of earthwork on the main carriageway has been completed.
- Site clearance (C&G) on the main carriageway is 100% done.
- Granular sub-base (GSB) is 61% complete.
- Wet Mix Macadam (WMM) work is 57% complete.
- Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM) laying has reached 54%.
- Out of 1,481 planned structures, 1,295 have been completed.
Efforts to Expedite the Project
Efforts to accelerate the remaining work on the expressway are being intensified. Additional CEO of UPEIDA, Srihari Shahi, confirmed that the project is on track, with all efforts aimed at meeting the deadline.
January 2025 Inauguration Target
Uttar Pradesh’s Industrial Development Minister, Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’, announced in Mumbai that the Ganga Expressway is set to be inaugurated in January 2025. He emphasized that once operational, Uttar Pradesh will account for 50% of India’s total expressway network.