**Executive Summary**
This report summarizes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech during the inauguration of the Ganga Expressway in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, on April 29, 2026. The 600-kilometer project is positioned as a developmental "lifeline" designed to connect 12 districts, foster industrial corridors, and support Uttar Pradesh’s transition toward a 1 trillion dollar economy. Key highlights include the expansion of infrastructure, the growth of the manufacturing and defense sectors, and the role of the "double-engine government" in meeting project deadlines.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Infrastructure and Connectivity**
* **Expressway Completion:** The ~600 km Ganga Expressway was completed within five years of its foundation stone being laid in December 2021.
* **Regional Reach:** The route connects Western UP (Meerut, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun) to Central UP (Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Raebareli) and Eastern UP (Pratapgarh, Prayagraj).
* **Future Expansions:** Plans are underway to extend the expressway to Haridwar and construct the Farrukhabad Link Expressway to integrate with other networks.
* **Aviation Growth:** Uttar Pradesh now hosts 21 airports, including five international airports, with the Noida International Airport located a few hours from the new expressway.
**Industrial and Economic Development**
* **Manufacturing Hub:** UP currently produces 50% of the mobile phones manufactured in India and has recently laid the foundation for a semiconductor plant in Noida.
* **Industrial Corridors:** Dedicated clusters for pharmaceutical and textile sectors are being developed in districts such as Hardoi and Unnao.
* **Strategic Defense:** One of India’s two defense corridors is located in UP, where major companies are manufacturing advanced equipment, including BrahMos missiles.
* **Support for MSMEs:** Schemes like Mudra Yojana and "One District One Product" (ODOP) are promoting local industries, such as Meerut’s sports goods, Bulandshahr’s ceramics, and Hardoi’s handloom.
**Agriculture and Rural Progress**
* **Market Access:** The expressway facilitates faster transport of crops to large markets, reducing previous logistical bottlenecks.
* **Infrastructure Support:** New cold storage and logistics facilities are being developed to increase farmers' income and reduce waste.
**Social and Political Context**
* **Law and Order:** The speech highlights a shift from "jungle raj" and mafia influence to an environment characterized by the rule of law.
* **Governance Philosophy:** The PM emphasized a transition from delayed projects to "fixed time" inaugurations under the current administration.
* **Legislative Commentary:** The Prime Minister criticized opposition parties for voting against the Nari Shakti Vandan amendment bill, which aimed to provide women's reservation in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers**
**Impact**
Farmers in the fertile regions of the Ganga will benefit from significantly reduced travel times to major markets and improved logistics infrastructure.
**Action Required**
Utilize the new expressway and upcoming cold storage facilities to scale crop distribution to larger urban centers and the NCR.
**Youth and Job Seekers**
**Impact**
The creation of industrial corridors, manufacturing plants, and defense factories will generate large-scale employment opportunities in high-tech sectors like AI and semiconductors.
**Action Required**
Seek training and employment within the new industrial clusters and defense manufacturing units being established across the 12 connected districts.
**MSMEs and Local Artisans**
**Impact**
Small industries and traditional craft sectors will gain enhanced connectivity, allowing local products to reach national and international markets more efficiently.
**Action Required**
Leverage government schemes like ODOP and improved transport links to expand production and export capabilities.
**General Public and Travelers**
**Impact**
Commuters will experience drastically reduced travel times between Eastern and Western UP, facilitating easier access to pilgrimage sites like Prayagraj and Kashi.
**Action Required**
Adopt the new expressway route for inter-district travel and access to the expanding network of international and domestic airports.
Key Entities Referenced
Ganga Expressway: A 600-kilometer-long green corridor expressway in Uttar Pradesh inaugurated to enhance regional connectivity, industrial corridors, and economic growth.
Nari Shakti Vandan amendment: A proposed legislative amendment aimed at providing reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
One District One Product (ODOP): An initiative promoting local MSMEs and traditional crafts across various districts to boost exports and family incomes.
Mudra Yojana: A government scheme providing financial support and credit facilities to youth and small businesses for entrepreneurship.
Uttar Pradesh: The central state where these infrastructure projects and economic initiatives are being implemented to achieve a 1 trillion dollar economy goal.
Prime Minister's Office
English rendering of PM's speech during the
inauguration of Ganga Expressway in Hardoi,
Uttar Pradesh
Posted On: 29 APR 2026 2:09PM by PIB Delhi
Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
Ganga Maiya Ki Jai.
Ganga Maiya Ki Jai.
Governor of Uttar Pradesh Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath Ji, Deputy Chief
Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brijesh Pathak Ji, my colleagues in the Union Cabinet Jitin Prasada
Ji, Pankaj Chaudhary Ji, ministers of the UP government, Members of Parliament and Legislative
Assembly, other public representatives, and my dear brothers and sisters who have gathered here in large
numbers.
First of all, I bow to the sacred land of Lord Narasimha. Just a few kilometers from here flows the grace of
Maa Ganga. Therefore, this entire region is no less than a pilgrimage. And I believe that this blessing of
the Ganga Expressway to Uttar Pradesh is also the blessing of Maa Ganga. Now you can reach the
Sangam in just a few hours, and also visit Baba in Kashi and return.
Friends,
Just as Maa Ganga has been the lifeline of UP and this country for thousands of years, in this era of
modern progress, this expressway passing near her will become the new lifeline of UP’s development. It is
also a wonderful coincidence that in the past four-five days, I have been in the presence of Maa Ganga. On
24 April, when I was in Bengal, I had darshan of Maa Ganga, and then yesterday I was in Kashi. This
morning itself I had the fortune of darshan of Baba Vishwanath, Maa Annapurna, and Maa Ganga. And
now I have the opportunity of inaugurating this expressway named after Maa Ganga. I am happy that the
UP government has named this expressway after Maa Ganga. In this, our vision of development is
reflected, and our heritage is also seen. I congratulate the crores of people of UP on the Ganga
Expressway.
Friends,
Today is also an important day of the festival of democracy. In Bengal, the second phase of voting is
happening at this time, and the news coming shows that heavy voting is happening in Bengal. Just like in
the first phase, people are coming out of their homes in large numbers to vote, and pictures of long queues
are all over social media. What had not happened in the past 6–7 decades, what was difficult even to
imagine, this time voting in Bengal is happening in such a fearless environment. People are voting free
from fear. This is a sacred symbol of the Constitution of the country and of the strengthening democracyof the country. I express gratitude to the great people of Bengal that they are so aware of their rights,
voting in large numbers. Still many hours remain before voting ends, I urge the people of Bengal to
participate in this festival of democracy with the same enthusiasm.
Friends,
Some time ago when elections happened in Bihar, BJP-NDA registered a massive victory, created history.
Just yesterday, results of elections in Gujarat for municipal corporations, municipalities, district
panchayats, nagar panchayats, and tehsil panchayats came. And you people of Uttar Pradesh will be
happy, BJP has won 80 to 85 percent of municipalities and panchayats. And I am confident that in these
five states’ elections also BJP is going to make a historic hat-trick of victories. The results of 4 May will
strengthen the resolve of a developed India, and will fill the pace of the country’s development with new
energy.
Friends,
For the rapid development of the country, we also have to build modern infrastructure quickly. In
December 2021, I had come to Shahjahanpur to lay the foundation stone of the Ganga Expressway. It has
not even been 5 years, and you see, among the largest expressways of the country, UP’s longest green
corridor expressway has been completed within 5 years. Today its inauguration is also happening from
Hardoi. Not only has the construction of the Ganga Expressway been completed, but work has also started
on its expansion plan. Soon, the Ganga Expressway will extend beyond Meerut to reach Haridwar. For its
better use, the Farrukhabad Link Expressway will be built, connecting it with other expressways. This is
the vision of the double-engine government! This is the speed of the BJP government’s work! This is the
way the BJP government works!
Brothers and sisters,
Just a few days ago I had the opportunity to inaugurate the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway. Then I had said
that these newly built expressways are the palm lines of developed India, and these modern palm lines are
today proclaiming the bright future of India.
Friends,
Now that era has gone, when one had to wait for decades for a road! Once an announcement was made,
files would run for years! Stones would be laid for elections, then governments would come and go, but
there would be no trace of work. Sometimes, to find old files, big officers had to work hard for two years.
In the double-engine government, foundation stones are laid, and inaugurations also happen within a fixed
time. That is why today, if there is more speed than UP’s expressways, it is the speed of UP’s
development.
Friends,
This expressway is not just a high-speed road. It is a gateway of new possibilities, new dreams, new
opportunities. The Ganga Expressway is about 600 kilometers long. In western UP-Meerut, Bulandshahr,
Hapur, Amroha, Sambhal, and Badaun. In central UP-Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Raebareli. In eastern
UP-Pratapgarh and Prayagraj, and other nearby districts. The Ganga Expressway will change the lives of
crores of people in these areas.
Friends,
These regions have been blessed with the fertile soil of Ganga Ji and her tributaries. But because of the
neglect of farmers by previous governments, farmers remained surrounded by difficulties! The crops of
farmers here could not reach big markets. There was a lack of cold storage. There was a lack of logistics.Farmers did not get the right value for their hard work. Now solutions to those difficulties will also happen
quickly. Through the Ganga Expressway, access to big markets will be achieved in less time.
Infrastructure necessary for farming will be developed here. This will increase the income of our farmers.
Friends,
The Ganga Expressway not only connects one end of UP to the other, it will also bring closer the immense
possibilities of NCR. Vehicles will run on the Ganga Expressway, and new industrial opportunities will
develop along its sides. For this, industrial corridors are being developed in districts like Hardoi. Through
this, new industries will come in all 12 districts including Hardoi, Shahjahanpur, Unnao. Clusters of
different sectors like pharma, textile will be developed. New employment opportunities will also be
created for the youth.
Friends,
Our youth are themselves setting new records with the strength of schemes like Mudra Yojana and ODOP.
Here, small industries and MSMEs are being promoted. With better connectivity facilities, new paths will
also open for them. The sports industry of Meerut, the handicrafts of Sambhal, the ceramics of
Bulandshahr, the handloom of Hardoi, the leather of Unnao, the amla products of Pratapgarh-all these will
reach the markets of the country and the world on a larger scale. The income of lakhs of families will
increase from this. Tell me, could anyone even imagine in the old Samajwadi Party government that
industrial corridors would be built in districts like Hardoi and Unnao? Could anyone ever think that an
expressway would pass through our Hardoi? This work is possible only in the BJP government.
Friends,
Earlier Uttar Pradesh was called a backward and “BIMARU” state. The same Uttar Pradesh today is
moving forward to become a 1 trillion dollar economy. This is a very big goal. But behind it is equally big
preparation. Because UP has such immense capacity. UP has the potential of such a large youth population
of the country. We are using this strength to make UP a manufacturing hub. New industries and factories
will be set up in UP, when large-scale investment comes here, only then will the doors of economic
progress open, and employment opportunities will be created for the youth.
Brothers and sisters,
Keeping this vision at the center, continuous work has been done in recent years. You yourselves are
feeling it, the UP which was earlier identified with migration, today is known for investor summits and
industrial corridors. In UP’s investor summit, companies come from the country and the world. Thousands
of crores of rupees are being invested in UP. Today, if India is the second largest mobile manufacturer in
the world, then UP has a very big contribution to it. Of all the mobiles India is making today, half are
being made in our UP. Just a few weeks ago, I also laid the foundation stone of a semiconductor plant in
Noida.
Friends,
You all know, in this era of AI, semiconductors are becoming such a big field. UP is moving forward to
take the lead in that too. In the future, a very big area with immense opportunities is opening up for the
people of UP.
Friends,
The industrial development of Uttar Pradesh today is also becoming India’s strategic strength. Today one
of the country’s two defense corridors is in UP. Big defense companies are setting up their factories here.
Missiles like BrahMos, which the world recognizes, are being made in UP today. For the manufacture ofdefense equipment, the small parts needed are being supplied by MSMEs. This is greatly benefiting the
MSME sector of Uttar Pradesh. Even in small districts, youth can now dream of connecting with big
industries.
Friends,
Today Uttar Pradesh is developing at such a fast pace because UP has changed old politics and created a
new identity. Remember, there was a time when UP was identified with potholes. Today the same UP has
become the state with the most expressways in the country. Earlier it was very difficult even to go to
neighboring districts. But today there are 21 airports in Uttar Pradesh, 5 international airports. Now the
inauguration of Noida International Airport has also happened. From the Ganga Expressway, Noida
International Airport is just a few hours away.
Brothers and sisters,
Our Uttar Pradesh is the land of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. But previous governments, because of their
misdeeds, had made crime and jungle raj the identity of UP. Films used to be made on UP’s mafias. But
now UP’s law and order is given as an example across the country.
Brothers and sisters,
The Samajwadi Party members, whose hands lost power that used to distribute resources, do not like this
progress of UP. They want to push UP back into the old era again. They want once again to divide and
break society.
Friends,
The Samajwadi Party is both anti-development and anti-women. Just recently the country once again saw
the real face of parties like SP and Congress. The NDA government at the Centre had brought the Nari
Shakti Vandan amendment in Parliament. If this amendment had passed, then from the 2029 elections
itself, women would have got reservation in Legislative Assemblies and Lok Sabha! A large number of our
mothers and sisters would have become MPs and MLAs, reaching Delhi and Lucknow. That too, without
reducing seats of any other category! But Samajwadi Party (SP) voted against this amendment bill.
Friends,
This bill would have increased seats in all states too. We had clearly said in Parliament, seats in all states
would increase in the same proportion. But parties like DMK, which do politics by abusing UP, objected
to why UP’s seats would increase. You see, the Samajwadi Party was echoing the same tune in Parliament.
These SP members take your votes from here, and in Parliament stand with those who abuse the people of
UP. That is why the people of UP say, the Samajwadi Party can never improve. These people will always
do anti-women politics. They will always stand with appeasement and criminals. SP can never rise above
family politics and caste politics. These people will always do anti-development politics. UP must remain
cautious of SP and its allies.
Friends,
Today the country is moving forward with one resolve-the resolve of a developed India! Uttar Pradesh has
a very big role in fulfilling this resolve. You are seeing, today the whole world is trapped in war, unrest,
and instability. In big countries of the world, conditions are bad. But India is moving forward on the path
of development at the same speed. Outside enemies do not like this. Some people sitting inside, hungry for
power, are also trying to show India down. Yet, we are not only safe, but also creating new records of
development. We are advancing the campaign of self-reliant India. We are building the most modern
infrastructure. The Ganga Expressway is another strong step in this direction. I am confident, thepossibilities that the Ganga Expressway will bring to our doors, the people of UP will realize them with
their hard work and talent. With this resolve, I once again give you all many congratulations. Thank you
very much!
Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram.
Thank you very much!
**********
MJPS/VJ/ST
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