Date: April 11, 2024
Source: Jagran.com
The Aligarh-Palwal national highway, a crucial artery connecting regions of northern India, is poised for a significant transformation as plans for its reconstruction and expansion have been unveiled. Jagran.com reported on Sunday that the dilapidated two-lane bridge spanning the Yamuna River will undergo a comprehensive four-laning process as part of a broader infrastructural overhaul.
Constructed during the colonial era, the bridge has long been a bottleneck on the highway due to its deteriorating condition. With damaged railings and numerous potholes, it stands as a relic of the past amidst the modernizing landscape. Despite previous attempts at patchwork during the four-laning of the highway, the bridge remained a critical bottleneck.
According to the report, the reconstruction project will not only address the bridge but also integrate the Aligarh-Palwal highway with key expressways, including the Noida Expressway and the Western Peripheral Expressway (Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway). This strategic interlinking is anticipated to significantly reduce travel times to major destinations such as Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has already initiated the process by floating tenders for the project, which is estimated to incur a cost of approximately Rs 650 crore from the exchequer.
The undertaking is scheduled to be executed in two phases, covering a total stretch of 46.39 km along the highway. The initial phase, with an estimated cost of Rs 882 crore, will encompass the reconstruction of the bridge and the interlinking of highways. The subsequent phase, expected to cost around Rs 650 crore, will focus on completing the remaining work.
In addition to the infrastructural improvements, the introduction of toll tax collection for the highway is also being considered to support the ongoing maintenance and development efforts.
The impending upgrades to the Aligarh-Palwal highway mark a significant step towards enhancing connectivity and facilitating smoother transportation across the region. With these initiatives, authorities aim to address longstanding infrastructure challenges while ushering in a new era of efficient and modernized travel.