In a significant development, Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary DS Mishra is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the long-awaited cloverleaf interchange loop connecting the Yamuna Expressway with the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) on December 15.
Originally planned for initiation in the fiscal year 2018-19, the construction faced setbacks due to a land dispute between farmers and the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (Yeida). This dispute has now been resolved, with Yeida officials confirming the commencement of compensation distribution to farmers who agreed to contribute their land to the project.
The cloverleaf loop assumes critical importance as it aims to provide direct connectivity from the upcoming Jewar airport and Delhi-NCR via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway. Without this loop, commuters from Noida, Greater Noida, and Delhi encounter inconvenience, navigating through congested villages such as Kasna and Ghangola to reach EPE.
Arun Vir Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Yeida, expressed optimism about the project’s swift initiation post the foundation stone laying ceremony, citing the amicable resolution of farmers’ issues. The interchange, spanning 57 hectares of land near the Budh International racing circuit, is poised to enhance the commuting experience for thousands of travelers.
Farmers initially resisted land acquisition, seeking additional compensation in alignment with updated land rates. The compensation, originally set at ₹1,300 per square meter (sqm) in 2000, faced contention as the government acquired land at ₹3,500 per sqm in 2008 for the Eastern Peripheral Expressway and other projects. The resolution involves compensating farmers at ₹1,300 per sqm, pending acceptance of the Allahabad High Court’s ruling by both parties.
Despite the delay, Yeida had initiated the tendering process in June 2019, appointing a contractor for the project estimated at ₹83.94 crore. However, the current project cost stands at ₹143 crore. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), responsible for the 135km Eastern Peripheral Expressway, will fund the project, with Yeida overseeing the construction of entry and exit points connecting the two expressways.
