5 years on, Faridabad-Noida-Ghaziabad expressway project yet to take off

There is confusion over the handling of work of the proposed 32-km interstate Faridabad-Noida- Ghaziabad Expressway (FNG), announced in 2019, as the government is yet to decide the agency to execute the project. The PWD, FMDA and NHAI are among the proposed agencies.

While the PWD recently submitted a report on the project alignment, the work of preparing the detailed project report (DPR) is yet to take off, according to sources in the district administration.

While the DPR may take two-three months, the authorities are yet to finalise the agency for the construction of the expressway. Officials of Haryana PWD, NHAI and the UP Government held a meeting recently, and were in favour of transferring the project to the NHAI as it may involve funds to the tune of around Rs 900 crore.

Manjhawali bridge over the Yamuna — another interstate project to provide direct connectivity between Faridabad and Greater Noida — has been lying incomplete, though its foundation stone was laid in 2014. The lack of coordination, technical issues and release of funds are among the reasons for the delay, it is claimed.

In the case of FNG, there has been no progress due to various reasons, including delay in DPR, fund-sharing issue and the process of land acquisition, which needs the construction of a passage of around 10 km in Faridabad and Noida, according to sources in the PWD.

The state government had also approached the NHAI to take over the project, but no positive response has come from the Central agency so far. The FNG will reduce the travelling time by one-third between Faridabad and Noida and Ghaziabad, which are important satellite cities of the national capital, said an official.

This will be the fourth expressway that will emanate from or conclude in the district. The KGP and Delhi-Mumbai expressways are already functional and work on the Greenfield Expressway (Faridabad-Jewar airport) is underway.