Yamuna expressway authority refuses free land for NHAI project

A 22km stretch of the 135km expressway falls in Gautam Budh Nagar. The ring road-like expressway will pass through Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and parts of Delhi. It is likely to take at least 70,000-80,000 vehicles off Delhi roads. The project was proposed in 2005.

The Yamuna Expressway industrial development authority (YEIDA) has refused to contribute 14 hectares for free towards the 135-km Eastern Peripheral Expressway. Union ministry of urban development has called a meeting of YEIDA and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials in Delhi on Monday.

A 22km stretch of the 135km expressway falls in Gautam Budh Nagar. The ring road-like expressway will pass through Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and parts of Delhi.

A 22km stretch of the 135km expressway falls in Gautam Budh Nagar. The ring road-like expressway will pass through Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and parts of Delhi. It is likely to take at least 70,000-80,000 vehicles off Delhi roads. The project was proposed in 2005.

“NHAI has demanded 14 hectares from the authority for a small stretch that passes through our area near Dankaur village. NHAI officials have sought the land free of cost but we cannot do so because we have spent a huge amount in providing land compensation to farmers for acquiring the land. Let us see if the Central government will bear the cost,” Arun Vir Singh, chief executive officer of YEIDA, said.

YEIDA additional chief executive officer Amarnath Upadhyay will take part in the meeting on Monday.

NHAI had set an October deadline for completing the part of the project that falls in Gautam Budh Nagar. In this regard, it is trying hard to resolve farmers’ issues at the earliest.

“We hope that the Centre will pay 50% of the total cost of the 14 hectares required for the expressway. The NHAI and YEIDA can comfortably share 25% of the cost, each. The Centre will resolve the issue at the earliest because NHAI wants to finish the project as soon as possible,” the CEO said.

NHAI is to acquire land across 39 villages of Gautam Budh Nagar. Most landowners have sold their land but some of them are demanding a hiked compensation; an issue that the district administration is in the process of resolving.