NDTV AutoMate recently secured exclusive early access to the Ganga Expressway, India’s most ambitious greenfield infrastructure project. Stretching 594 kilometers from Meerut to Prayagraj, the expressway promises to revolutionize travel across Uttar Pradesh.
To test the bold claim that the entire stretch can be covered in under six hours, the team took the flagship Audi RS Q8 for a sustained, high-speed cruise.
The Verdict: Claim Verified
The team set out from Meerut at 8:30 am, maintaining a steady, legal cruising speed of 120 km/h.
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The Result: The team reached the Prayagraj exit in exactly five hours.
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The Condition: The run was conducted non-stop under controlled conditions before the public opening.
Infrastructure at a Global Scale
The Ganga Expressway is more than just a road; it is designed as an economic backbone for North India.
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Scale: A 6-lane access-controlled highway, expandable to 8 lanes.
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Investment: Costing over ₹36,000 crore, it is India’s largest Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) project, primarily developed by Adani Road Transport Limited.
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Safety & Tech: Features AI-enabled surveillance for real-time traffic monitoring, rumble strips to prevent driver fatigue-related drifts, and elevated construction to avoid historical flood zones.
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Emergency Airstrip: A dedicated section of the expressway doubles as an emergency airstrip for the Indian Air Force. During controlled testing on this closed stretch, the Audi RS Q8 reached a top speed of 303 km/h.
The Choice of Wheels: Audi RS Q8
The Audi RS Q8 was chosen for its ability to provide “calm” performance over long distances.
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Engine: Twin-turbo V8.
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Handling: Adaptive air suspension and all-wheel steering ensured the car remained planted and composed even at sustained triple-digit speeds.
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Refinement: The SUV’s stability turned a potentially exhausting 600km trek into a refined, effortless journey.
What to Expect at Launch
While the drive proved the road’s quality, several features were still being finalized at the time of testing:
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Tolls: Official pricing has yet to be notified.
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Facilities: Rest stops, fuel stations, and EV charging infrastructure are currently under construction.
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Travel Impact: Once open, the expressway will drastically reduce fuel consumption and travel time between Western UP and Prayagraj.
Note: This drive was conducted on a closed road with professional drivers. When the expressway opens to the public, motorists are urged to strictly adhere to the 120 km/h speed limit.
