The Upper Ganga Canal (UGC) Expressway; Current status, completion date and impact on real estate
The Upper Ganga Canal (UGC) Expressway construction will be completed in November 2025. The travel time to Uttarakhand from the NCR region will now be reduced to less than 3 hours. This is going to change the economic landscape of many surrounding areas in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
In today’s blog, we will give you an insight into the route and the overall impact of the UGC Expressway on these regions’ economy.
What is Upper Ganga Canal (UGC)?
The Upper Ganga Canal( between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers) has been a main irrigation system for many districts in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The canal has been in use for over 160 years.
The UPEIDA has permitted the construction of an expressway alongside this canal to promote agricultural trade, commerce, and tourism. It stretches across a length of 290 kilometers, making the Upper Ganga Canal length a significant factor in regional connectivity and development.
Why did the construction of the UGC Expressway stop?
The Upper Ganga Canal (UGC) Expressway started construction in 2013. But due to various concerns, including the enviromental impact and budget issues, the construction was stopped. After an 11-year halt, it has now resumed and is soon going to finish construction.
It was speculated that, being an old construction, the canal would not be able to bear the impact of such a major construction. The expressway led to major deforestation as well. This caused the authorities to halt construction and reevaluate the environmental impact.
Also, the project faced many delays in the land acquisition process.
What is the status of the Upper Ganga Canal Expressway project?
The Upper Ganga Canal (UGC) Expressway has resumed construction and will be operational by November 2025. It is an 8-lane expressway which is 147.8 kilometres long. The expressway aims to connect the NCR region to the Uttarakhand-Uttar Pradesh border with a direct route.
With a budget of 8700 crores, the Expressway will feature link expressways, hydroelectric power stations, development of land parcels and navigational facilities. The project has approved the construction of about 7 hydroelectric stations and water sports along the canal to promote tourism. New link expressways have also been added to the revised plan.
The Route Map of UGC Expressway
The Upper Ganga Canal (UGC) Expressway begins at the Sanauta Bridge in Bulandshahr and ends in Pukhrazi in Muzzafarnagar.
The Expressway will pass through major cities and districts like Meerut, Bulandshahr, Muzzafarnagar, and Dehradun. It will help replace NH58 with a modern expressway and help avoid traffic and congestion.
The expressway will also feature a 23.5-kilometer Link Expressway to the Meerut Airport and a 3.5-kilometer motorway to Dasna Falls.
Economic Benefits of the Expressway
The expressway will directly impact the economy of the region:
Connectivity
The entire NCR region and the surrounding areas, including Ghaziabad and Greater Noida, will experience reduced travel time to Uttarakhand. The expressway forms a direct route from Ghaziabad and Greater Noida to Dehradun. The connectivity to Haridwar will also see a significant improvement.
Tourism
With the reduced travel time and construction of various water-sports facilities along the route, tourism in Delhi to Uttarakhand is expected to improve. This will lead to increased commercial activity and generate employment in both areas.
Agriculture
As the canal is used for irrigation, the entire route is surrounded by agricultural land parcels. With the construction of this expressway, the cost of raw materials will reduce. The trade for the farmers will become fast and cheap.
Industries and Employment
The easy commute will attract businesses and encourage a boost in commerce. The availability of land parcels will also encourage many businesses to spread out from the cities. Meerut and Muzaffarnagar, known for sports goods, sugar, and textile manufacturing, will experience increased demand.
Environmental Impact
The construction of the hydroelectric stations along the route will power a larger surrounding region in Uttar Pradesh. This will help promote the use of clean energy sources and reduce the use of fossil fuels in the region.
Impact of Upper Ganga Canal Expressway on Real Estate
The Upper Ganga Canal (UGC) Expressway is set to improve the investment potential in real estate of the surrounding urban and semi-urban regions of Uttar Pradesh.
Rise in Demand
Economic growth brings an increased demand for real estate. Both commercial and residential properties will see an increased demand. This will increase demand for both commercial real estate and workforce housing.
Working professionals, families, and even high-net-worth individuals are showing interest in sectors near Noida-Greater Noida and emerging zones near Meerut, Ghaziabad, and Muzaffarnagar.
Shift from Highways to Expressways
Developers and investors are expected to move away from already crowded highways and explore growth along the UGC Expressway route. This shift will bring attention to newer sectors and townships and balance the development of real estate across the region.
Price Appreciation & Developer Interest
The NCR region will experience a potential increase in property prices due the various benefits deriving from the construction of this new expressway. Some localities near Greater Noida, Gaziabad, Noida, Meerut, and Muzaffarnagar will experience a surge in demand for residential as well as commercial real estate.
Urban Transformation
Cities like Bulandshahr, Khurja, and Muzaffarnagar are expected to evolve into modern urban hubs. Integrated townships, logistics parks, and infrastructure are upcoming developments that will attract long-term investors looking for high returns in developing markets.
Conclusion
The UGC Expressway is set to become a game-changer for the region by transforming the commercial landscape of Uttar Pradesh. Now you can travel to Dehradun on the weekends in half the time, and with improved connectivity, enjoy the benefits of appreciation in your property values.
The construction of a major expressway is much more than an upgrade in the roadways. With the completion of this expressway in November, farmers will gain easy market access, tourists will enjoy smoother journeys to Uttarakhand's attractions, businesses will discover new hubs, and residents’ investment opportunities will be doubled.
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