Yamunanagar-Bawana expressway gathers pace

Shiv Kumar Sharma

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Yamunanagar, April 19

The dream project of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar of constructing expressway on the bank of the Western Yamuna Canal (WYC) from Yamunanagar to Bawana (Delhi) has gained pace.

The government has decided to execute work on the 200-km Yamunanagar-Indri-Uchana-Panipat-Sonepat-Bawana expressway in three phases — on the Karnal bypass package (part) in the first phase, from the Karnal bypass to Bawana in the second phase and from Yamunanagar to the Karnal bypass in the third phase.

Sources said the government had hired a consultant, Explorer Limited (New Delhi), for preparing the detailed project report (DPR) for the first phase.

Besides, the government has also approved Rs 1 crore to initiate the process to hire consultant for preparing the DPR for the second phase package — from the Karnal bypass to Bawana. Meanwhile, a technical survey for the third phase package — from Yamunanagar to Karnal bypass — is being carried out.

The proposed expressway will run on the right bank of the WYC, covering 40 km of Yamunanagar district, beginning from the bridge of the WYC situated near the Yamunanagar railway station.

Sources said the state government would have no need to acquire land to construct the expressway, as the Irrigation Department had enough land along the WYC bank. The minimum land width available along the WYC is 20m. However, there would be need of 15m width to construct the road.The expressway would decongest the traffic of Yamunanagar, Karnal, Panipat and Sonepat districts and some neighboring districts of Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.

The construction work of the 160-km stretch will be undertaken under the National Capital Regional Planning Board (NCRPB) scheme with Rs 850 crore. The rest 40-km stretch in Yamunanagar district will cost Rs 150 crore, which will be borne by the state government. Mahesh Kumar, engineer-in-chief, PWD (B&R), told the Tribune, “The work on the expressway is in progress. A consultant has been hired for preparing the DPR for the first phase package and bids will be invited soon to hire consultant for the second phase package of the expressway.”