Traffic bottlenecks deter heavy cargo trucks from using Ganga Expressway

Lucknow: Movement of heavy commercial vehicles on the Ganga Expressway is being impacted by traffic design constraints near the NH-9 junction, raising concerns about the corridor’s efficiency for freight transport.Transporters said trucks coming from Delhi and Hapur towards Prayagraj are required to access the expressway via an NH-9 service road and a vehicle underpass (VUP). However, the existing layout poses difficulties for long multi-axle vehicles and oversized cargo carriers.The 12-metre-wide VUP has a limited turning radius, making it difficult for vehicles longer than 15 metres to negotiate the required U-turn. Drivers often need to reverse and manoeuvre multiple times, leading to delays, congestion and safety risks.The underpass also has a height restriction of 5.5 metres, preventing over-dimensional cargo (ODC) vehicles and trucks carrying high loads from passing through it, effectively restricting their access to the expressway.Transport industry stakeholders said these constraints are discouraging heavy freight operators, many of whom are opting for alternative routes that allow smoother movement.Experts pointed out that the current arrangement — comprising a 7-metre-wide service road and a 12-metre-wide VUP — may not be adequate to handle existing and future freight traffic.They have called for a properly designed grade-separated interchange to ensure seamless movement of heavy vehicles and to fully realise the expressway’s freight potential. Such improvements, they said, would enhance safety, reduce travel time and encourage wider use of the corridor by commercial transporters.