To decongest Yamuna Expressway, YEIDA plans for 8 lanes

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), which is proving to be a boon for the people of Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring regions, is now planning to widen the 165-km Yamuna Expressway to accommodate the increasing traffic on the road. This will improve the travel experience for commuters and reduce the travel time drastically.

Yamuna Expressway, which connects Greater Noida with Agra, is expected to be expanded to 8 lanes from the existing 6. According to reports, YEIDA has directed Jaypee Infratech Limited (JIL) to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) within the next 3-4 months in this context.

YEIDA Chief Executive Arun Vir Singh, who is also the CEO of Noida International Airport Ltd (NIAL), said that once the DPR is submitted, it will be approved immediately so that work can begin. ''According to the concessionaire agreement, the toll operator has an obligation to widen the 6-lane-wide expressway to a 8-lane one because the number of commuters has increased to 32,000 per day. When we realised that daily commuters have increased steeply, we told JIL to widen the expressway,'' Hindustan Times quoted CEO Singh as saying.

"We have directed JIL to increase the height of the side median so that vehicles do not fall off the road causing accidents. We have taken this decision after several vehicles hit the roadside barrier and fell off the expressway," Singh explained.

The expressway passes through many famous landmarks such as the Formula One racing track, Buddh International Circuit and the famous tourist destination Taj Mahal in Agra.

Meanwhile, there are plans to expand the expressway further to connect it with other important cities and towns in the region. YEIDA is planning to extend the expressway from its current endpoint in Agra to the upcoming Jewar Airport in Greater Noida. This will improve connectivity to the airport and make it easier for travellers to access it.