A high-level meeting convened by the Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday sought to untangle the complex web of challenges surrounding the proposed Yamuna Pushta road project, envisioned as a vital alternative to the heavily congested Noida Expressway. The project, which aims to construct a nearly 30-kilometre high-capacity corridor, has been stuck primarily due to the refusal of the irrigation department to grant a crucial no-objection certificate (NOC).
Key Discussions and Project Details
The meeting, held in Lucknow and chaired by the industrial development commissioner, saw detailed presentations from Noida officials. The discussions centred on three core aspects: the entity responsible for executing the project, the model for financing the massive investment, and the technical design that could overcome the constraints of building along the Yamuna embankment.
The proposed alignment plans for an elevated corridor stretching approximately 23 km from near Kalindi Kunj to Noida's Sector 150, with a further extension to the Yamuna Expressway, bringing the total length to about 30 km. Noida CEO Lokesh M indicated that resolving the classification issue and securing necessary approvals could push the project into the execution phase.
Funding and Execution: A Multi-Agency Puzzle
Officials highlighted that the project requires an investment of several thousand crore rupees, a sum the Noida Authority cannot shoulder alone. Consequently, the meeting explored various funding and execution models. These included a public-private partnership (PPP) framework and the possibility of handing over the project to central or state highway agencies.
A significant point of deliberation was whether the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) or the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) could take up the construction. For NHAI to step in, the Pushta Road would first need to be declared a national highway—a prerequisite that was part of the talks.
The Persistent Hurdle: Irrigation Department's Objections
The most formidable roadblock remains the steadfast opposition from the state's irrigation department. The department's Meerut division has repeatedly denied the NOC, citing serious concerns that construction activity so close to the Yamuna embankment could destabilise the levee structure and interfere with critical drainage channels.
This stance has effectively stalled progress, as the department warns that such construction could compromise flood protection infrastructure. In response, officials at the meeting discussed the potential of adopting alternative construction techniques to allay these safety fears, though the plan remains for an elevated structure. Any final green signal is contingent on finding technical solutions that satisfy stringent safety and drainage requirements set by the irrigation authorities.
The project's history shows it was approved by the Noida Authority board in March last year, with a plan for UPEIDA to execute it and three development authorities sharing costs. However, the unresolved NOC and ongoing discussions with NHAI have kept it on the drawing board. Once realised, this corridor is expected to significantly ease traffic pressure on the Noida Expressway by providing a direct link between Delhi and the upcoming Noida airport via the Yamuna Expressway.
