"The Rs-180 crore road project, a joint venture between Noida and Greater Noida authorities, would be completed by end-2000 or early 2001," Brijesh Kumar, chief executive officer of GNIDA told PTI.

The road will be an extension of the Rs 408-crore eight-lane Noida Toll Bridge being constructed over Yamuna to connect Noida with South Delhi, he said.

Kumar said the six-lane expressway would be constructed by the two sister townships on their own, unlike the SPV, Noida Toll Bridge Company Ltd - floated by Noida Authority and Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) for the construction of the toll bridge.

He said Greater Noida Authority would raise its share ofthe money for the project from sale of land adding that the construction of the road had begun on both sides.

Kumar said theexpressway would reduce the travel time between Delhi and Greater Noida by 40 minutes and distance by about 10 km.

The expressway will also include a bridge over Hindon river, he said. The expressway is part of three roads GNIDA is planning to increase access to the township. It is also planning an 18-km long four-lane road to link the township directly with National Highway 24 and a road overbridge to connect to Grand Trunk road bypassing Dadri.

Kumar said the link road to NH 24, which was still at a preliminary stage, would cost about Rs 50-60 crore while the Dadri bypass would cost about Rs 32 crore.

GNIDA is yet to decide whether to develop the link road project on its own or through private participation. However, Kumar added the authority was open to private participation.

The authority is awaiting clearance from Railway Board for road overbridge to inivite bids for the projects, Kumar said. He said the 12-13 km long bypass would be a tolled road and the authority has decided to give it toprivate parties for development.

In addition to the three roads, the authority in consultation with the railways has started a feasibility study on connecting greater Noida with the Howrah-Delhi rail line.

"We are trying to see how viable it was to connect greater Noida and Noida with Delhi by rail line," Kumar said.