- Ganga Expressway spans 594 km from Meerut to Prayagraj and is India's largest greenfield expressway
- The six-lane expressway is expandable to eight lanes to boost economic growth in Uttar Pradesh
- NDTV tested the claim of covering the distance in under six hours at legal speeds of 120 km/h
NDTV AutoMate got exclusive early access to one of India's most ambitious infrastructure projects - the Ganga Expressway. Stretching 594 kilometres from Meerut to Prayagraj, this is India's largest greenfield expressway, and it comes with a bold claim: the entire distance can be covered in under six hours.
Before inauguration, under controlled conditions, NDTV AutoMate set out to test that claim.
A National-Scale Infrastructure Project
The Ganga Expressway is not just long, it is strategically significant. Running across western and central Uttar Pradesh, it is designed as a new economic and logistics backbone for the region. Built as a six-lane access-controlled expressway, expandable to eight lanes, it represents infrastructure planned for long-term capacity and growth.
Ganga Expressway - Audi RSQ8
Elevated construction ensures protection above historical flood levels, while regular crossing structures improve local connectivity without interrupting high-speed traffic. At nearly 600 kilometres, this is infrastructure built at a truly national scale.
Delivered in just over three years, the project has been developed under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model with a 30-year concession period. With a cost exceeding Rs 36,000 crore, it is described as India's largest BOT road project, with traffic risk borne entirely by the developer. The majority of the expressway has been developed by Adani Road Transport Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, as part of its integrated logistics vision.
The Drive: Testing the Claim
For this exclusive run, NDTV AutoMate followed one simple rule - stay within legal limits.
The speed limit on the Ganga Expressway is 120 km/h, and that is exactly how the drive was conducted. No shortcuts. No pushing beyond limits. Just steady, sustained cruising - the way this expressway is meant to be used.
The drive began from Meerut at 8:30 am. After five hours of continuous driving, maintaining an average speed between 115 and 120 km/h, the team reached the Prayagraj exit, just 500 metres away.
Five hours. Non-stop. Within speed limits.
The claim holds.
Why the Audi Q8 and RS Q8?
The choice of vehicles was deliberate. The Audi Q8 and Audi RS Q8 are flagship SUVs designed for long-distance stability and sustained high-speed comfort.
The Audi Q8 prioritises refinement, ride comfort and stability - essential qualities on a road that stretches endlessly ahead. The Audi RS Q8 adds performance to that foundation, with a twin-turbo V8, adaptive air suspension and all-wheel steering delivering confidence and control even at sustained speeds.
On an expressway like the Ganga Expressway, the right vehicles matter - cars that feel calm, planted and composed hour after hour.
Technology and Safety at the Core
The Ganga Expressway introduces intelligent monitoring systems into India's highway network. AI-enabled surveillance tracks traffic movement in real time, helping monitor flow, detect incidents and improve response times. Clear signage, visible mile markers and digital oversight work together to enhance driver awareness and safety.
Rumble strips along the shoulder lines act as an additional safety net, alerting drivers if a vehicle drifts towards the edge, a crucial feature on a road this straight and this fast.
Here, technology isn't about speed. It's about awareness, safety and readiness for the future.
The Airstrip: A Unique Feature
One section of the Ganga Expressway stands apart - an integrated airstrip. Designed for emergency use, this stretch has already seen Indian Air Force fighter jets conduct testing and go-arounds.
Under closed road conditions, this airstrip was also used to test the Audi RS Q8's top-end performance, where it reached 303 km/h. This run was conducted strictly under controlled conditions by professional drivers.
"Disclaimer: This sequence was filmed and performed, under controlled conditions on a closed airstrip section of the expressway. Do not attempt this. Always follow speed limits. We do not endorse high-speed driving, drive responsibly."
What Comes Next
At the time of this drive, toll prices had not been notified, and rest stops, fuel stations and EV charging infrastructure were still under construction. This run was completed before public opening, under controlled access.
Yet even in this early phase, the intent is clear.
Progress You Can Drive On
The Ganga Expressway reduces travel time, saves fuel and opens up entire regions to opportunity. It connects districts, industries, cultures and people - redefining what long-distance road travel feels like in India.
When the expressway opens, take a moment.
Look at the landscape.
Look at the road quality.
This is modern India, laid out in concrete and confidence.
Disclaimer:
"This drive was conducted in partnership with Audi India as partner content. NDTV AutoMate does not endorse high-speed driving on public roads. The expressway was exclusively closed, and access was strictly controlled for this drive. All performance runs were carried out under supervised conditions by professional drivers. Always adhere to posted speed limits, traffic laws and safety regulations when the expressway opens to the public."
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