Yamuna Expressway
| Yamuna Express highway | |
|---|---|
| यमुना द्रुतगामी महामार्ग/तीव्रगामी महामार्ग | |
| Route information | |
| Length: | 165 km (102.53 mi) |
| Existed: | 9 August 2012 – present |
| Major junctions | |
| From: | Greater Noida |
| To: | Agra |
| Location | |
| States: | Uttar Pradesh |
| Highway system | |
Yamuna Expressway(Hindi: यमुना द्रुतगामीमार्ग), formerly known as Taj Expressway, is a 6-lane (extendable to 8 lanes), 165 km long, controlled-access expressway, connecting Greater Noida with Agra in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is India's longest six-laned controlled-access expressway stretch. The total project cost was 
12,839 crore (US$2.2 billion).[1] The Yamuna Expressway was formally inaugurated on 9 August 2012 by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav,[2] about two years of delay from its original target completion date.The expressway starts from Greater Noida and ends on NH 2 (India) towards Kanpur and Agra.
Contents |
History[edit]
The Taj Expresssway project was announced in 2001 by Rajnath Singh, then UP Chief Minister. It was conceived with the idea of reducing the travel time between Delhi and Agra. But the project could not start because of a change of government in the state in 2003. The project was reactivated in 2007 when Mayawati regained power and was renamed Yamuna Expressway.[3]
Yamuna Expressway project was implemented by Jaypee Group.[4] In May 2012, Jaypee Group informed state government officials that construction of the expressway had been completed.[5] The Yamuna Expressway was formally inaugurated on 9 August 2012 by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, via videoconference from Lucknow,[2] about two years behind of its original target completion date.[6]
Objectives[edit]
The objectives of the expressway are as follows:[7]
- To provide a fast moving corridor to minimize the travel time.
- To connect the main townships / commercial centres on the eastern side of Yamuna.
- To ensure development of adjoining area.
- To relieve NH-2 which is already congested and runs through the heart of cities like Faridabad, Ballabgarh and Palwal.
- Reduce pollution and carbon footprint of vehicles travelling between New Delhi and Agra (commercial as well as tourists visiting the Taj Mahal).
- Improve vehicle fuel mileage efficiency, reduce wear and tear on vehicles, and reduce logistical costs.
- Enable farmers in western Uttar Pradesh to move agricultural, horticultural and milk products rapidly to major cities.
- Accelerate movement of supplies and help to affected areas during Yamuna floods and other emergencies.
Features[edit]
Some data about the Yamuna Expressway:[8][9]
- Length - 165 km
- Right of Way - 100 mt.
- Number of Lane - 6 Lanes (extendable to 8 lanes)
- Type of Pavement - Rigid (Concrete)
- Interchange - 7
- Main Toll Plaza - 5
- Toll Plaza on Interchange Loop - 7
- Underpass - 35
- Rail Over Bridge - 1
- Major Bridge - 1
- Minor Bridge - 42
- Cart Track Crossing - 68
- Culverts -
- Vehicular Underpasses - 70
The Yamuna Expressway has SOS booths along the route besides a toll free helpline. CCTV cameras are installed every 5 km along the expressway for safety and accident assistance; mobile radars to monitor compliance with minimum and maximum speed limits; and one highway patrol every 25 km. The Expressway is expected to be used by over 100,000 vehicles every day, and reduce travel times between Greater Noida and Agra from 4 hours to 100 minutes.[10] Petrol pump at the halfway point at Tappal is open.
Development[edit]
The Expressway was developed in three phases:
- Phase I: Expressway Stretch between Greater Noida & proposed Taj International Aviation Hub (near village Jewar on the southern tip of Dist. Gautam Budh Nagar).
- Phase II: Expressway Stretch between proposed Taj International Aviation Hub and an intermediate destination between proposed Taj International Aviation Hub & Agra.
- Phase III: Expressway Stretch between intermediate destination & Agra.
Speed Limit[edit]
The speed limit on the expressway is 100 km/h for cars and 60 km/h for heavy vehicles. The expressway also has a minimum speed limit.[11]
Toll Rates[edit]
Toll will be charged at three points - at 38 km, 95 km and 150 km from Greater Noida. Cars and jeeps will be charged Rs 2.10/km and mini-buses Rs 3.23/km as toll. Buses and Trucks will pay Rs. 6.60/km. Charges for heavy vehicles will be Rs. 10.10/km. A summary table of toll rates is as below:[12]
| Vehicle Category | Aligarh | Mathura | Agra | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two wheeler | 50 | 100 | 150 | 280 |
| Car/Jeep/Van | 100 | 220 | 320 | 510 |
| LCV/Mini-Bus | 150 | 350 | 500 | 800 |
| Bus/Truck | 300 | 700 | 1050 | 1680 |
| Multi-axle Vehicle | 450 | 1050 | 1600 | 2560 |
| 7+ axle Vehicle | 600 | 1400 | 2100 | 3360 |
All figures in Indian Rupees
- Round trip charges are 1.6 time of one way toll within 24 hours.round of 5000
- Special discounts for vehicles using the expressway more than 19 times in a month.
Taj International Aviation Hub[edit]
The UP government had proposed a Taj International Aviation Hub (TIAH) with a greenfield airport at Jewar, which is at a distance of about 70 km from the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Union minister for civil aviation Choudhury Ajit Singh has written to UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav seeking a proposal for establishing a new greenfield International airport in Mathura. The matter was referred to the group of ministers and there were legal and policy issues in approving a new airport within 150 km of another operational airport. The issue, therefore, remained unresolved for five years. In his letter, the Union minister has welcomed the state government’s decision to scrap the originally-planned international airport at Jewar as part of the Taj International Aviation Hub (TIAH) and said that his ministry will treat as top priority if UP sends a request for the proposed greenfield airport at Mathura. However, the minister said that in order to boost tourism in the Agra-Mathura sector and to speed up industrial development in the region, an international airport was needed in the area. “The airport of TIAH should be located near the Taj in such a way that it does not have any airspace conflict the IAF airport and should not have any legal or policy issues either,” the minister said in the letter. The minister has recommended a location at Mathura that should be near the expressway and has assured a quick clearance of the project if the state government sends such a proposal. Earlier in May, the UP government had scrapped the ambitious greenfield international airport at Jewar, which was a crucial part of former chief minister Mayawati’s dream project, citing the decision to the Centre’s unwillingness to give clearances to the project. The state government had also issued instructions to the local administrations to identify a new site for the international airport, conforming to the 150 km distance ruling. District magistrates of Agra and Mathura have been instructed to identify sites that are at least 150 km from the IGI Airport. “The new airport will, tentatively, come up between Agra and Mathura. The search for the new site has started,” said A.K. Gupta, UP’s infrastructure and industrial development commissioner. Incidentally, Mr Ajit Singh’s son, Jayant Choudhury,is the member of Parliament from the Mathura Lok Sabha constituency.
References[edit]
- ^ Our Bureau. "Business Line : Companies News : Yamuna Expressway is ready, says Jaypee Infra". Thehindubusinessline.com. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
- ^ a b TNN Aug 9, 2012, 03.48PM IST (2012-08-09). "Yamuna Expressway opens, one-way toll Rs 320, free ride till Aug 15 - Times Of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
- ^ "Yamuna expressway to become operational this month". The Times Of India. 7 April 2012.
- ^ "Yamuna Expressway - Jaypee Infrastructure Annual Report 2011".
- ^ "Expressway ready: Jaypee team tells UP officials". 9 May 2012.
- ^ "Yamuna e-way opens on Aug 9". The Times Of India. 3 August 2012.
- ^ "Objectives of YEIDA | Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority". Yamunaexpresswayauthority.com. 2003-02-07. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
- ^ "Facts About Yamuna Expressway |". Projectsjugaad.com. 2011-05-13. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
- ^ "Salient Features of the Yamuna Expressway Project | Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority". Yamunaexpresswayauthority.com. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
- ^ "About Us | Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority". Yamunaexpresswayauthority.com. 2001-04-24. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
- ^ "Yamuna Expressway: From Dec, zoon to Agra at 100kmph". The Times of India. 9 November 2011.
- ^ "Toll rates for Yamuna expressway". Times of India. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
