The 700-metre underpass at Gaur Chowk in Greater Noida, which is expected to decongest one of the busiest traffic intersections in the area, is likely to take three more months to complete and may not open to commuters before the monsoon season. In March, the Greater Noida Authority CEO had announced that the work would be finished and the project opened to the public by June.
Current Traffic Situation
Currently, the stretch experiences daily traffic congestion due to restrictions and diversions along both corridors of Taj Highway to facilitate the ongoing construction. The presence of heavy machinery and barricades adds to the chaos, making travel difficult for commuters.
Project Progress
According to senior officials, out of the total 26 sections of the underpass project, work on 20 sections has been completed. The underpass runs parallel to Taj Highway. Among the remaining six sections, five are under construction near Gaur City, and one is on the opposite side of Greater Noida West Road.
“Over 70% of the work is over. Among the pending work are excavations in these six sections, construction of a retaining wall there, curing water and levelling the slope, etc. The project is likely to open on August 15,” a GNIDA official said.
Traffic Pinch Points
Gaur Chowk has long been identified as one of Greater Noida West’s traffic pinch points, along with Ek Murti Chowk, Tigri Rotary, and Shahberi. High-density housing, construction bottlenecks, and a massive volume of vehicles from Ghaziabad and Noida create daily congestion. Gaur Chowk alone is home to over five lakh residents and sees heavy traffic from Noida, Surajpur, Crossings Republik, and the Delhi-Meerut Expressway. The launch of commercial flights from Noida International Airport in Jewar is further expected to add to traffic pressure in the area.
Underpass Features
The six-lane underpass will provide a direct link between Greater Noida, Gaur City, and the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, allowing vehicles to bypass the intersection and reduce traffic load at the junction. Of its total length, 350 metres lie on each side of the chowk. The project is being executed at an estimated cost of Rs 92 crore.
Reasons for Delay
The underpass project, which started in July 2024 with an initial 18-month deadline, has faced delays due to restrictions on construction during the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in winter months. Work in the area is also frequently halted to facilitate peak-hour traffic flow. In September last year, the Authority completed the main slab of the underpass, allowing movement of vehicles from Noida to Gaur Chowk and Ek Murti without any diversion.
Commuter Concerns
A daily commuter highlighted the area’s notorious traffic snarls. “During the evenings, vehicles barely move. If one stands atop one of these highrises here, all one can see is a sea of red. The construction activities and diversions have worsened congestion in the area. This project should be opened soon to ease the situation,” said Gautam Kumar, a resident of Gaur City.
