Interchange linking Yamuna eway, EPE to be ready next year
Proposed in 2019 to improve regional connectivity, the cloverleaf interchange has been delayed over land acquisition, farmers' protests seeking higher compensation and costs. The interchange is expected to benefit commuters from Palwal, Kundali and Panipat, in addition to those coming from Meerut and Greater Noida.
Currently, commuters travelling between Agra, Ghaziabad and west UP districts, like Hapur and Meerut, need to take a 15-20km detour via congested Pari Chowk and Kasna areas in Greater Noida from Yamuna Expressway to reach EPE and are frequently stuck in snarls.
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NHAI, which is to develop the interchange, said NCR EP Private Limited will construct four loops and four ramps spanning 11km near Jaganpur and Afzalpur villages, about 10km from the Yamuna Expressway's zero point. Officials said the construction is to start by Aug and the interchange is to be ready within a year thereafter.
The project has faced several hurdles since it was first proposed over seven years ago. Initially awarded in 2019 to a Delhi-based contractor for Rs 75 crore with an 18-month timeline, the project stalled due to farmer protests over compensation and delays in land acquisition.
After the original design, which included four loops, was revised to add ramps connecting 60m and 30m wide service roads running parallel to the expressway, the cost of the project was revised to Rs 123 crore in 2023, with the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) agreeing to share 21% of the cost and NHAI the remaining 79%.
Subsequently, the foundation stone was laid by then chief secretary DS Mishra on Dec 15, 2023.
But fresh challenges emerged when the contractor demanded an additional Rs 22 crore, citing increased earthwork costs.
YEIDA rejected the demand and referred the matter to NHAI, which also turned it down, stating that cost revisions were already approved and no further changes were permissible under the contract.
The Authority then issued a notice warning the contractor to begin work by May 15, 2024, or face termination.
YEIDA later decided to sign an MoU with NHAI for the construction of the interchange, ultimately handing over the entire responsibility to NHAI last year. The UP cabinet approved the handover in April this year.
NHAI will now oversee not just the construction and design but also operation and maintenance, including toll collection. YEIDA retains ownership of the 60 hectares of land involved, while future policy decisions will rest with the state govt.
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