As the Noida International Airport in Jewar prepares to take off by April 2025, the Noida Authority is taking proactive steps to mitigate the expected surge in traffic congestion on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. In a bid to ease the pressure on the current route, the Authority has announced plans to construct a new 30 km alternative expressway, aimed at reducing traffic congestion and ensuring smoother commute for commuters.
The proposed expressway — likely to be a 6-lane elevated or 8-lane on-ground route — will span from Okhla Barrage to the Yamuna Expressway, traversing the Hindon-Yamuna Doab. This alternative route is designed to mitigate the projected surge in traffic while addressing environmental concerns, including rising carbon emissions and air pollution, by alleviating the congestion and jams that currently plague the existing expressway.
In a recent move, the Noida Authority has formally requested the Principal Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) to declare the proposed new expressway as a National Highway. This is a crucial step because the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) only works on projects that hold national highway status. However, officials have noted that the approval process from both state and central governments could take time.
The Noida Authority conducted a feasibility study last year to evaluate the potential of this new expressway. The plan involves starting the route near Kalindi Kunj Barrage, running it along the Yamuna Pushta Road and eventually connecting it with the Yamuna Expressway at Sector 152.
According to a TOI report, originally, the Noida Authority was hoping NHAI would take charge of the project, especially with the Jewar airport opening fast approaching. However, NHAI has since pulled out due to delays in approvals, leaving the Authority to explore other alternatives. Building the expressway as an elevated road could push the project cost to around Rs 15,000 crore and toll charges would likely be introduced, raising concerns about financial feasibility.
With the Jewar airport launch just around the corner, the Noida Authority is racing against time to finalise these plans. Their goal is to ensure the region can handle the expected surge in traffic and prevent any major disruptions for commuters.