Eastern Peripheral e-way to be ready in August: Gadkari

Palwal, April 28

India’s first smart and green highway — Eastern Peripheral Expressway — for decongesting Delhi would be completed in August, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said here today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation the 135-km access-controlled six-lane expressway (e-way).

The Rs 11,000-crore project is replete with smart and intelligent Highway Traffic Management System (HTMS) and Video Incident Detection System (VIDS), besides a closed tolling system in which the collections will be made only on the distance travelled and not on the entire length.

“The project, most likely, will be completed in August. We have spent Rs 5,900 crore on land acquisition. Once complete, this will reduce traffic congestion in Delhi. It will have the best automatic traffic management system, landscaping and wayside amenities. We are planting at least 2.5 lakh trees. The expressway will be lit by solar panels,” Road Transport and Highways Minister Gadkari said.

The Eastern Peripheral Expressway would set a benchmark in highway construction by being environment-friendly with world-class safety features and smart infrastructure, he said.

The project, which commenced on September 14, 2015, will consume million tonnes of fly ash from NTPC’s several thermal plants to utilise waste and minimise pollution.

The greenfield project, which hit several hurdles, will divert around 2 lakh vehicles passing through the national capital daily to this bypass, cutting down on pollution.

Gadkari, who inspected the project sites in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, said the toll plazas would be equipped with the faster Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system offering an uninterrupted travel experience to commuters.

The expressway passes through Sonepat, Bagpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, Faridabad and Palwal in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. — PTI

On the sidelines

• Along the expressway, wayside amenities such as petrol pumps, motels, rest areas, restaurants, shops and repair services etc will be developed
• About 2.5 lakh trees will be planted; landscaping will be done at all interchanges, major bridges and toll plazas with provision of fountains and lighting
• Rainwater harvesting at every 500 metres on either side of the expressway; plants will be watered through drip irrigation
• After every 25 km, toilets to be constructed on either side of the expressway