Noida: Jaypee Infratech, the concessionaire of the Yamuna Expressway, has decided to issue toll concession passes to farmers whose land was acquired for the project, bringing an end to a long-running dispute that had led to repeated confrontations at toll plazas.
Background of the Dispute
Around 4,500 farmers had parted with nearly 1,600 hectares for the development of the expressway and related projects. They had been demanding free access to the expressway for a long time, having received no passes since the land acquisition. The initiative is being implemented in phases, with landowners from Gautam Budh Nagar being covered first. The scheme will subsequently be extended to farmers from other areas along the corridor.
Implementation Details
Assistant general manager of Jaypee Infratech JK Sharma said the Gautam Budh Nagar stretch extends from Zero Point in Greater Noida, up to 40 km towards Agra. “We have decided to give concession passes to all such farmers whose land was acquired for the expressway. They need to submit a form along with a voter ID card copy and the vehicle’s registration number,” he said.
Eligible farmers have been asked to submit the documents by June 15. The passes will be issued within a week after the last date of application. Sharma said the benefit would not be restricted only to the original landowners. “Land owners’ family members are also eligible for concessional passes,” Sharma added.
Significance of Yamuna Expressway
The six-lane, 165 km long Yamuna Expressway connects Greater Noida with Agra and serves as one of Uttar Pradesh’s most important transport corridors. Operational since 2012, the expressway has significantly reduced travel time between NCR and Agra while facilitating industrial, residential, and commercial development along its route.
The expressway has gained strategic importance as it serves as the primary connectivity route to Noida International Airport in Jewar, which is scheduled to commence commercial flight operations from June 15.
No-Protest Zone Declared
Meanwhile, city police on Thursday also declared the expressway stretch a no-protest zone, citing concerns over commuter safety, the possibility of obstruction to emergency services, and traffic disruption on the high-speed corridor, which witnesses heavy vehicular movement throughout the day.
