NOIDA NEXT NEWS- Decongestion plan for Noida e-way on anvil

NOIDA: The increase in population in sectors along the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway has prompted the Noida Authority in preparing a plan to decongest the 25km route. The plan includes construction of two foot-overbridges (FOB), introducing public transportation in the area, and construction of two additional exit points at places where MNCs, BPOs and other educational institutions are located along the expressway. Also, the Authority has decided to cancel the contracts of those who run parking facilities on roadsides.

Noida Authority chairman Rama Raman said that the area along the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway is getting populous and it’s high time that infrastructure is improved. “We have prepared the decongestion plan as people living or working in MNCs, BPOs, educational institutes and other offices along the expressway face problems due to heavy traffic during peak hours,” Raman said. “The changes will be visible in the next couple of months,” he added.

The decision was taken in a high-level meeting conducted between Noida Authority and representatives of several leading IT firms, BPOs and universities. Rama Raman has directed the Authority’s traffic cell to prepare a comprehensive decongestion plan.

“One foot-overbridge along the expressway is about to get completed and will be operational soon. Work on another FOB in front of Sectors 126/127 will start by November end and will be operational by January. This FOB will cost Rs 5 crore and have an escalator so that pedestrians use it more. We will also build three more FOBs later,” said Manoj Kumar Rai, officer on special duty, Noida Authority.

Apart from this, the Authority will introduce air-conditioned GPS-fitted buses which will run from Botanical Garden Metro station to Sectors 126, 127 and 125. Another route for buses will be from Greater Noida to Noida’s Sectors 125, 126, and 127, which are located along Noida Expressway and are a hub for several MNCs and BPOs, apart from other corporate offices. “Over 50% of traffic congestion will be removed by the FOB, two exit points and removal of parking. The remaining 50% will be curbed by public transport which will help people avoid using private vehicles,” Rai said.

“We have also issued notices to a few IT companies, BPOs and educational institutes for illegally parking vehicles on the roads,” Rai added.