NHAI fast tracks ₹7,048-cr ring road project in Prayagraj

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has expedited the construction of a 65-kilometer ring road in Prayagraj, UP, with an investment of ₹7,048 crore to ensure smooth vehicular movement for the over 40 crore pilgrims and tourists expected to arrive for Mahakumbh-2025. The first phase of the ring road, covering 29.8 km from Sahson to Dandupur, will be built in the next two years and will join the toll plaza located at Sahson on NH-19. The local administration is in the process of acquiring land from nearly 5,000 farmers. The project is being considered one of the most important ones for the forthcoming Mahakumbh as well as for further growth of the Sangam city. The Project Director of NHAI, Pankaj Mishra, stated that crowd management was a critical aspect of the mega-religious fair and the construction of the ring road was a vital project being undertaken by the nodal road building agency. To construct the ring road, a 3.2-km long, six-lane bridge will also be built over the Ganga, starting from Arail (Naini) and landing at Adhawa (Jhunsi). In addition, another six-lane bridge is being constructed across the same river to connect Gohri in Phaphamau area to Beli village with a distance of 9.8 km.