Commuters to breathe easy on Expressway

Two days after Hindustan Times highlighted how horrifying driving on the Noida-Dadri Road can be once both lanes of the Noida Expressway are closed from September 23 to October 13 (from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm) for a cycling event during the Commonwealth Games, the Noida Authority has promised "the ordeal in store may be lessened."

Two days after Hindustan Times highlighted how horrifying driving on the Noida-Dadri Road can be once both lanes of the Noida Expressway are closed from September 23 to October 13 (from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm) for a cycling event during the Commonwealth Games, the Noida Authority has promised "the ordeal in store may be lessened."

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The Noida-Dadri Road will be the alternative route to reach Greater Noida from Noida and Delhi, but the Salarpur-Bhangel stretch alone is already throwing vehicular movement out of gear in the absence of traffic cops, dysfunctional signals and designated stoppages for public transport, besides measures to curb unauthorised parking.

Deputy CEO of Noida Authority C. B. Singh said, "The number of days decided for the closure of the Expressway is likely to come down." Singh said the authority was aware of the problems people may face on the Bhangel stretch. The first few km of the Expressway has been spared. The diversion will start from Sector 82."

Asked about the defunct traffic signals, he said, "We have already instructed engineers to set it right. Rest is up to the traffic police to control the traffic." The situation on this stretch is so bad that to cross the 15-foot unencroached portion of the road, at times, it takes 30 minutes.

A stretch from Noida-end till Sector 82 Flyover will be open to traffic, and some areas will have service lanes but commuters going to or coming from Greater Noida will be affected. Efforts are being made to ensure access to offices and schools along the Expressway are not blocked. A majority of Noida residents have been driving a few km extra to avoid the Bhangel stretch.