New Delhi: The Noida Authority has kicked off a major infrastructure project by starting construction on a 5.6 km elevated road linking Chilla in Delhi to the Mahamaya flyover in Noida. After the completion of the planned road, the government said the journey would be quicker and smoother for thousands of commuters who combat daily traffic jams. The project's foundation stone was laid on Thursday. The goal is to reduce the pressure on the overcrowded Delhi-Noida Link Road, especially during peak hours.
A traditional "Bhoomipujan" ceremony was held as a mark to restart this long-delayed project, which had been held up for over four years due to funding woes and logistical setbacks. According to a report by Times Of India, the project is fuelled by Rs 893 crore and the authorities have set the target of the next three years to get it operational for the commuters.
The Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation Ltd (UPSBCL) is pushing the project forward, and the report claimed a company was awarded the contract for the road in December last year. Detailing the project, the report claimed that the design of the road was completed but a final approval from the IIT Delhi is still awaited. However, the company has mobilised workers and machines to the construction site.
Major relief
According to Lokesh M, CEO of Noida Authority, the UPSBCL will handle the technical side of things, while the Noida Authority will supervise the construction of this six-lane elevated stretch. Positioned along the Shahdara drain, the road will include five ramps and loops to improve traffic movement. These will link Sector 14-15 to the Mahamaya flyover, offer entry and exit options at Sector 16, and provide an extra exit for Delhi-bound traffic at Sector 18.
"This elevated road is designed to alleviate this bottleneck and allow seamless movement between Delhi and Noida. Once completed, the elevated road is expected to reduce traffic congestion near Sector 14A/15A and Film City, improving vehicular flow on the Noida Expressway. It will also ease traffic moving towards Greater Noida, Sector 37, Kalindi Kunj and Faridabad," TOI quoted Losesh M as saying.
Which routes will be benefited most?
As per the authorities, after the roads get operational, it will ease the travel between Sector 14A and the Mahamaya flyover. Also, it will make the journey soothing from Delhi’s Mayur Vihar flyover to the Mahamaya flyover, benefiting those travelling to Greater Noida, Sector 37, Kalindi Kunj, Faridabad, and beyond.
A decade old project
It is worth mentioning that the project had to be started in 2012-- more than 13 years ago. However, after a repeated delay, it picked up steam in 2018 with Delhi government approval. Later in January 2019, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath laid the foundation stone. But, the authorities claimed the project was again delayed due to funding issues. Besides financial crunch, complications with a GAIL gas pipeline requiring rerouting, and disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic.