Big Relief For Commuters: PWD Proposes Rs 180 Crore Expansion For Badaun-Chandausi Highway Stretch

The Public Works Department has sent a revised proposal worth about Rs 180 crore to the Uttar Pradesh government for widening a key 56-km stretch of the Moradabad-Farrukhabad highway between Badaun and Chandausi. If approved, the project will expand the road from seven metres to 10 metres, addressing a long-pending bottleneck on a route used by travellers moving towards Moradabad, Delhi and Lucknow.

The proposal covers the remaining narrow section of the highway, even as widening work from Badaun to Usawan has already been completed. The Badaun-Chandausi stretch has remained a concern for commuters, transporters and local businesses because of limited carriageway width, slow-moving traffic and safety risks on mixed-use stretches where vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists often share road space.

Revised proposal for Badaun-Chandausi highway stretch

According to the proposal prepared by the PWD construction division, the widening work has been divided into two parts for planning and execution. The first section will run from Badaun to Saidpur, while the second will cover Saidpur to Chandausi. Together, these two sections account for nearly 56 km of road length.

The earlier proposal for the same stretch did not receive approval, following which the state government sought a revised plan from the department. The new estimate has now been forwarded for administrative clearance. Once the project is sanctioned, the department is expected to move ahead with the tender process before beginning work on the ground.

The existing road width on this part of the Moradabad-Farrukhabad highway is around seven metres. Under the revised plan, the paved width will be increased to 10 metres. In addition, 1.5-metre-wide earthen shoulders are proposed on both sides of the road, improving space for pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicle movement.

Why the highway widening matters for commuters

The Moradabad-Farrukhabad highway is an important road link for western and central Uttar Pradesh. It serves daily commuters, agricultural traffic, private buses, goods vehicles and long-distance passengers. For people travelling from Badaun towards Chandausi and Moradabad, a narrow road often means slower journeys, especially when heavy vehicles and local traffic move together.

Once widened, the stretch is expected to allow smoother two-way movement and reduce traffic pressure at busy points. Wider roads also help minimise abrupt braking, roadside overtaking and congestion caused by vehicle breakdowns. For regular passengers, the likely benefits include shorter travel time, lower fuel use and fewer delays during peak movement hours.

The project may also improve connectivity for smaller towns and markets along the route. Better road access generally helps traders, farmers and transport operators move goods faster. For areas dependent on road-based supply chains, even modest improvements in travel speed can reduce transport costs and make local markets more accessible.

Tree cutting and environmental conditions

The widening work will require removal of several trees along the proposed construction alignment. Officials have indicated that trees obstructing the widening zone may need to be cut after required permissions. The department has said compensatory plantation will be carried out, with ten times the number of saplings to be planted at other suitable locations.

Tree removal is often one of the more sensitive parts of road expansion projects, particularly on older highways where roadside vegetation has grown close to the carriageway. The final execution will depend on approvals, land availability, utility shifting and environmental compliance. These steps can influence the project timeline even after financial clearance is granted.

For local residents, the condition of service lanes, shoulders and safe crossing points will also matter during execution. Construction on a running highway can temporarily affect movement, especially near markets, habitations and junctions. Proper traffic management will be needed to prevent inconvenience and reduce accident risks while work is underway.

Approval will decide project timeline

The next major step is approval from the state government. Local public representatives are also expected to pursue the matter for early clearance. Officials believe the project may receive approval in the current financial year, although the exact timeline will depend on administrative and budgetary decisions.

After approval, the PWD will have to complete tendering, select the executing agency and finalise work schedules. The actual start of construction will follow these formalities. Road projects of this size also require coordination with departments handling electricity poles, water lines, drainage structures and any roadside encroachments that may affect widening.

For now, the revised proposal has brought the Badaun-Chandausi widening plan back into active consideration. If cleared, the Rs 180 crore project will complete an important missing link on the Moradabad-Farrukhabad highway and offer a safer, wider route for thousands of daily road users in the region.