Upper Ganga Canal Road Project Hits Another Snag: UP Seeks Crucial Forest Clearance Extension

The ambitious Upper Ganga Canal Road project, a vital artery poised to transform connectivity across Western Uttar Pradesh and beyond, finds itself at a critical juncture once more. The Uttar Pradesh government has formally requested an additional extension for securing the final forest clearance, a hurdle that continues to impede progress on a significant 33.6-kilometer stretch of this monumental highway.

Conceived as a 200-kilometer, six-lane express route, this project is designed to run parallel to the Upper Ganga Canal, connecting Purkazi in Muzaffarnagar to Dasna in Ghaziabad.

Falling under the Union government's flagship Bharatmala Pariyojana, it promises to be a game-changer, drastically cutting travel times to Delhi and Uttarakhand while alleviating the notorious congestion on National Highway 58. Beyond mere convenience, the road is expected to unlock new economic opportunities and spur development across the region.

However, the path to completion has been anything but smooth.

The project has grappled with a series of delays, missing its initial 2019 deadline due to a confluence of challenges. These included intricate issues with the irrigation department, complexities in land acquisition, and the sheer scale of tree felling and transplantation required. While many of these have been navigated, the final environmental clearances remain a persistent bottleneck.

The current impasse revolves around Stage 2 (final) forest clearance for a particular section.

While Stage 1 approval was granted back in 2021, the subsequent and critical Stage 2 clearance has proven elusive. The specific challenge lies in obtaining the green light for the 33.6 km segment, which necessitates the diversion of 27.27 hectares of forest land. Despite multiple extensions already granted by the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC), with the latest deadline expiring in October 2023, the state government now seeks further reprieve.

National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), the executing agency for the project, has been actively pursuing the necessary approvals, underscoring the urgency to keep this strategic infrastructure initiative moving forward.

The environmental mandate requires not only the felling or transplantation of numerous trees but also the implementation of a robust compensatory afforestation program to mitigate ecological impact.

As Western UP, Uttarakhand, and Delhi await enhanced connectivity, the progression of the Upper Ganga Canal Road project hinges squarely on this crucial forest clearance.

The next few months will be pivotal in determining whether this transformative highway can finally overcome its environmental hurdles and pave the way for a more connected and prosperous future.