Delhi-Meerut expressway to improve connectivity, ease congestion
The Delhi-Meerut expressway which was proposed to be constructed from Nizamuddin Bridge on Ring Road has been in limbo since a while. However, after much deliberation, the road transport and highways ministry has taken upon itself the responsibility to resume work on this prestigious project.
Project likely to be awarded this fiscal:
This project is one among the three expressway projects that the PMO is personally monitoring, with the target of awarding work during this fiscal. This project would enable commuters to travel from Delhi to Meerut in about 45-60 minutes. Moreover, it will also reduce travel time to Haridwar and Dehradun by about an hour.
Nizamuddin Bridge-UP Gate stretch to be widened to 14 lanes:
Road widening of the present stretch of NH-24 up to UP Gate has been proposed to be widened to 14 lanes from the present eight. However, the stretch between UP Gate and Dasna will be 8-laned. The second phase of the expressway is proposed to be built on a new alignment. This will be a six-lane stretch between Dasna and Meerut which will connect to the Meerut bypass.
Barricaded six-lane Delhi-UP Gate stretch to be tolled:
The expressway is expected to improve connectivity between Delhi and Meerut considerably. The Delhi-UP Gate stretch consisting of six central lanes will be barricaded exclusively for traffic heading towards Meerut, with toll charges being levied. The remaining eight lanes on either side of the barricaded path will be used by local traffic, without having to pay toll. All vehicles entering the expressway will be tolled irrespective of whether they shift to the other lanes at UP Gate or Dasna.
Central assistance sought by UP Govt:
The Uttar Pradesh government had earlier sought central assistance of about Rs.900 crore for the widening of NH-24 stretching from UP Gate to Dasna. The work was proposed to be undertaken by the state public works department. The road ministry had earlier floated a tender with regards to widening of this stretch, using 100% government funding.
Entire project cost about Rs.6,450 crore:
Considering the importance given to the project by the central government, there was no way that it was going to go back on it word, with regards to implementation of the project. The entire project cost including land acquisition costs is expected to be approximately Rs.6,450 crore. The government is planning to bid it out on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) mode, with toll collections to be employed.
Project starting from Nizamuddin Bridge to tap traffic coming from Delhi:
The expressway project was proposed to be started from Nizamuddin Bridge with an eye on tapping the huge traffic flow coming from Delhi. This would invariably make the project financially cost-effective as well. The Nizamuddin Bridge-Dasna stretch extending upto 28 km is considered to be renowned for traffic congestion along the NCR. With many new residential projects coming up along this stretch, traffic volumes would increase many-fold.
Expressway to benefit commuters travelling to Haridwar and Dehradun:
Due to the fact that NH-58, which connects Anand Vihar to Meerut, is already congested, further expansion along this stretch is virtually impossible. This is because this road passes through many built-up areas in Muradnagar and Modi Nagar. Hence, the expressway will provide immense relief to commuters travelling towards places like Haridwar and Dehradun.
