Delhi-Meerut Expressway | Fusion - WeRIndia

The construction of Dasna-Meerut six-lane connector has been given approval by the government. The construction of this Expressway is expected to cost Rs. 1,658 crore. The project is approved by the government in order to reduce traffic problems in the National capital. There are going to be four stretches constructed in this project. That includes: Nizamuddin Bridge to UP border, UP border to Dasna and Dasna to Hapur.

The proposal was made by NHAI. The aim was to construct a green field alignment of Delhi-Meerut Expressway from Dasna to Meerut and the six lane connector. The environment ministry gave environment clearance to the project based on the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) proposed constructing a 46-km long road on this new alignment. It will have one major bridge and four minor ones.Furthermore, the NHAI also proposed improving and widening 19 culverts to four lanes. They are planning to construct 626 new ones also. The NHAI proposed project would need land acquisition of 479.91 hectare. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 1,658 crore.

The project has been given approval along with certain conditions, says an official behind the project. The conditions are that the Environment Ministry asked NHAI to secure stage-I forest clearance for diversion of 15 hectares of forest land as per the law.

NHAI also gave an undertaking to the ministry that it would work on non-forest land only. NHAI also stated that if they did not get forest clearance, the project would be done on an alternative alignment without involving forest land diversion.

However, the ministry said that commencement of work on non-forest land will not give any right with regard to grant of approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act. NHAI and the Transport Ministry were asked to re-evaluate minimum distance between national highway and urbanisation, industrialisation or commercialisation of stretches to avoid congestion.

Image credit: Nice drive on the Jaiput-Delhi Highway image by Dinesh Bareja is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Image Reference: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dineshobareja/4913776262/