Ahead of Noida airport launch, work on key Yamuna Expressway link to EPE set to begin

Yamuna Expressway

After years of delay, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to begin construction next month on the long-stalled cloverleaf interchange connecting the Yamuna Expressway with the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE), ahead of the expected launch of operations at the Noida International Airport later this year, according to a TOI report.

Once completed, the interchange is expected to streamline movement for commuters from areas such as Palwal, Kundali, Panipat, Meerut and Greater Noida. At present, those travelling between Agra, Ghaziabad and western Uttar Pradesh districts like Hapur and Meerut are forced to take a 15-20 km detour through heavily congested routes such as Pari Chowk and Kasna.

Originally proposed in 2019 to enhance regional connectivity, the 11-km cloverleaf near Jaganpur and Afzalpur villages, about 10km from the Yamuna Expressway’s zero point, has seen repeated setbacks due to prolonged land acquisition issues and protests by farmers demanding higher compensation.

According to NHAI, NCR EP Private Limited has been contracted to construct four loops and four ramps as part of the design. TOI cited officials  as saying that the work is slated to begin in August, with completion targeted within a year.

The project’s journey has been far from smooth. Initially awarded to a Delhi-based contractor for Rs 75 crore in 2019 with an 18-month completion timeline, the project quickly ran into obstacles. Farmer protests and delayed land acquisition halted progress. A redesign later added ramps linking 60-metre and 30-metre-wide service roads running parallel to the expressway, which pushed the cost up to Rs 123 crore in 2023.

Funding responsibilities were also divided afresh. As per TOI, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) committed to cover 21% of the revised cost, while NHAI agreed to fund the remaining 79%.

While the foundation stone was laid on December 15, 2023, by then Uttar Pradesh chief secretary DS Mishra, further complications arose when the contractor demanded an additional Rs 22 crore, citing increased earthwork requirements. The demand was rejected by YEIDA and later by NHAI, which maintained that cost revisions had already been approved and no further escalation would be allowed under the terms of the contract.

YEIDA reportedly issued a warning notice, directing the contractor to begin work by May 15, 2024, or face termination.

Later, in a significant administrative shift, YEIDA signed a memorandum of understanding with NHAI, handing over full responsibility for the construction, operation and maintenance of the interchange. This move was formally cleared by the Uttar Pradesh cabinet in April this year, TOI reported.

While NHAI will now oversee tolling and upkeep of the infrastructure, ownership of the 60 hectares of land involved will remain with YEIDA. Future policy decisions will continue to lie with the state government.