Ganga Expressway Opens New Tourism Highway for UP, Boost to Mahabharat, Jain and Sambhal Circuits

Lucknow, April 29, 2026: With the inauguration of the 594-km Ganga Expressway, Uttar Pradesh has added a major new tourism corridor that is set to bring religious, heritage and eco-tourism destinations closer across western, central and eastern parts of the state. Developed at a cost of around Rs 36,230 crore, the six-lane access-controlled expressway connects Meerut to Prayagraj and is expected to reduce travel time between the two ends from nearly 10 to 12 hours to over 5 hours. Passing through 12 districts, it creates a new high-speed route for pilgrims, leisure travellers and interstate visitors.

The corridor will significantly benefit Uttar Pradesh’s Mahabharat Circuit, Jain Circuit and Sambhal’s emerging religious tourism profile by making several destinations faster and easier to access. Among the biggest tourism gainers is Hastinapur in Meerut district, one of the most important Mahabharat era destinations and a revered Jain pilgrimage centre. The state is already implementing an Integrated Tourism Development Project worth over Rs 15 crore in Hastinapur, and the improved corridor is expected to attract higher footfall from Delhi NCR, western UP and beyond. T

he wider Hastinapur belt, including Pandeshwar Mahadev Temple, Karan Mandir, Ulta Khera excavation site and Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary, is also expected to gain stronger visitor movement. The expressway also enhances the tourism profile of Sambhal, where development of the Kurukshetra pilgrimage site is ongoing. With faster connectivity from Meerut, Hapur and Lucknow side markets, Sambhal is poised to emerge as a stronger spiritual and short-stay tourism destination. In Hapur, the Brajghat Garhmukteshwar zone is witnessing tourism infrastructure expansion, while Bulandshahr’s Avantika Devi Temple, Amroha’s Vasudev Temple, Budaun’s Shri Ramchandra Virajman Temple and Shahjahanpur’s Parshuram Temple are also seeing projects that now gain stronger accessibility.

Baghpat’s Lakshagriha linked tourism profile is also expected to receive fresh momentum through the corridor. Further east, the route connects Hardoi’s Vaneshwar Mahadev Temple, eco-tourism facilities in Nawabganj (Unnao), Chamunda Shaktipeeth in Rae Bareli, Maa Jwala Devi Dham Siddhpeeth in Pratapgarh and Prayagraj, where tourism facilities in the Blackbuck Reserve are being developed. This opens opportunities for travellers to combine faith tourism, wildlife experiences and cultural travel in one seamless route. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh expressed gratitude to PM Modi for inaugurating the Ganga Expressway and said the corridor will give a new identity and stronger momentum to Uttar Pradesh’s Mahabharat Circuit, Jain Circuit and Sambhal tourism profile. He further said that under the leadership of CM Yogi, every region of Uttar Pradesh is being equally benefitted and steadily connected to the mainstream of development. For tourists, the new corridor means faster road journeys, easier weekend travel, smoother pilgrimage circuits and access to destinations that earlier remained outside short-trip plans. It is expected to widen Uttar Pradesh’s tourism map far beyond traditional hubs.