The long-delayed Chilla elevated road, one of Noida's most critical traffic relief projects, is finally moving forward with urgency. Built to alleviate daily bottlenecks at the Noida entry gate and reduce pressure on the Noida Expressway, the 5.5-kilometer, six-lane corridor is now 47% complete and is likely to be ready by June 2027, well ahead of its December 2027 deadline, officials said.
Project Overview and Benefits
The project is designed to unclog traffic between Delhi and Noida and provide a faster alternative for commuters heading towards Greater Noida and the upcoming Noida International Airport. Once operational, it is expected to ease congestion from Mayur Vihar to Mahamaya Flyover, a stretch that routinely sees heavy snarls.
Recent Developments and Review
The renewed push came into focus on Monday when Additional Chief Secretary (Infrastructure and Industrial Development) Vijay Kiran Anand reviewed the project and asked officials to speed up construction. SP Singh, General Manager at Noida Authority, said work had picked up after resuming in March last year. "The project resumed with a December 2027 deadline, but we are expediting construction and hope to complete it by June next year," he added.
Construction Progress
A site inspection on Monday showed that foundation work has been completed and all 85 piers have been erected. The next stage involves constructing pier caps, which will support girders or precast segments. These segments will then be launched to build the superstructure, after which deck slabs will be cast for traffic movement.
Historical Challenges
The road project has had a troubled journey. Conceived in 2012, it remained stuck for years and moved only after Delhi government clearance in 2018. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath laid the foundation stone in January 2019, but the project soon ran into funding problems, GAIL pipeline realignment issues, and then the COVID-19 disruption. By 2020, only 13% of work had been completed, and construction remained stalled between 2021 and early 2025.
Cost Escalation and Disputes
The deadlock deepened in 2022 when the executing agency sought to raise the cost from Rs 605 crore to Rs 1,076 crore, citing higher material prices and design changes. The Authority rejected the proposal. In June 2023, the Uttar Pradesh government gave in-principle approval for a revised cost, fresh tenders were floated, and MG Contractors secured the job in the second round with a bid 7% below the estimate. The final project cost was fixed at Rs 893 crore.
Even after work resumed, friction persisted. A dispute broke out between Noida Authority and UP State Bridge Corporation over alleged use of non-approved steel and delayed payments. The corporation warned that non-payment could force a halt in work and push the project back by up to six months. Authority officials had, however, said quality would not be compromised. The steel issue was later rectified and withheld payments were released, allowing work to continue.
Public Anticipation
With construction now back on track, commuters said they were eagerly waiting for the project to be completed and offer relief at one of the National Capital Region's most stubborn choke points.
