The Upper Ganga Canal Expressway project was started 11 years ago to establish direct highway access between Noida, Greater Noida, and Dehradun. After prolonged delays, authorities are set to resume the project. The eight-lane expressway, whose construction began in 2013 before being paused, will now continue its development, linking Greater Noida with Sanauta and Ghaziabad. It will then pass through Meerut and Muzaffarnagar before reaching Purkazi in Dehradun. According to a Zee News report, the Indian government plans to complete the project by November 2025.
As part of the plan, a 23.5 km Link Expressway will be developed to connect South-West Meerut with the Meerut Airport terminal and DFC infrastructure. Additionally, a new 3.5 km expressway will be constructed near NH-24, close to Dasna Falls. Land at six key locations along the route has been designated for the development of enhanced navigational facilities, water sports, and tourism infrastructure, contributing to improved logistics.
Expansion and modernization efforts will also be carried out at all seven hydroelectric power plants along the expressway. The project requires an investment of Rs 8,700 crore to construct 147.8 kilometers of roadway from the Sanauta bridge in Bulandshahr to Purkazi in Muzaffarnagar, extending to the UP-Uttarakhand border. Upon completion, the expressway will connect Greater Noida to Purkazi in Dehradun, passing through key locations such as Sanauta, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, and Deoband.
Originally started in 2013, the project was temporarily halted before resuming operations. Once completed, it will establish a seamless transportation link between Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, benefiting commuters traveling between the two states. The expressway is also expected to drive industrial growth, commercial development, and residential expansion throughout the region.
