Eastern Peripheral Expressway

The construction work of 135 km-long Eastern Peripheral Expressway was divided into 6 packages and was awarded to 5 different contractors. There are 406 structures including 8 railway-over-bridges (ROB), 4 major bridges, 46 minor bridges, 2 toll plaza, 3 flyovers, 7 interchanges, 70 vehicular-underpasses (VUP), 151 pedestrian underpasses, and 114 culverts. The total construction cost (excluding land acquisition cost) was ₹4,418 crores. The list of contractors is as follows: ==Salient features==

This expressway boasts of many features that are being implemented for the first time in India. • The 135 km-long Expressway has a closed tolling system in which toll will be collected only on the distance travelled, and not on the entire length. • There is a provision for electronic collection of toll to ensure disruption-free movement of traffic. • Weigh-in motion sensors on all entry points which ensure that over-loaded vehicles are not allowed to enter the Expressway. The sensors are installed at all entry points with two gates—one leading to the Expressway and the other redirecting the vehicle if it is over-loaded. • Provision for parking of overloaded trucks where they can unload some of the cargo to satisfy the weight criteria and then move to the Expressway. • To check for speed, cameras have been put up every 2 kilometres. Over-speeding vehicles will be issued the challan at the toll plaza and the challan amount would be added to the total toll amount. • Facility for rainwater collection at every 500 meters has been made. • 2.5 lakh trees have been planted along the highway along which will be watered through drip irrigation system • A cycle track of 2.5 metre has been developed on both sides of the expressway • Solar panels have been installed at various locations to provide power to illuminate the expressway. 8 solar power plants with a total capacity of 4,000 kilowatts (4 MW) have been made by the side of the expressway. • 33% of the earthwork on the highway was done using fly ash from coal power plants thereby compounding its contribution to reducing pollution. • The expressway has 406 structures of which 4 are major bridges, 46 minor bridges, 3 flyovers, 7 interchanges, 221 underpasses and 8 Railway-over-bridges (ROB). ==Status updates==

• Sep 2015: Construction work of expressway divided by NHAI into 6 packages and awarded to 5 private firms. • Nov 2015: Foundation stone of 135-km long expressway laid by PM of India Narendra Modi. • Feb 2016: Construction work started on expressway. • Apr 2017: An estimated 60% of the work has been completed. It is expected to be completed by August 2017. • Jul 2017: Around 70% of the work has been completed. It is expected to be completed by March 2018, 3 months ahead of the deadline of July 2018 set by the Supreme Court of India. • Oct 2017: Few farmers agitating against land acquisition in Greater Noida area and who forced stop the road construction work were arrested in Sep 2017 and police force are deployed to give cover to road workers so that work can proceed. • Dec 2017: 85% work completed. Land acquisition related issue is there at two places in Greater Noida impacting length of about 1 kilometre each, which delayed the project completion. • Apr 2018: The expressway was scheduled to be inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29 April 2018 but was cancelled due to elections in Karnataka. • May 2018: The Supreme Court of India has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to open the expressway before 31 May 2018. • May 2018: KGP Expressway is inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in Baghpat on 27 May 2018. ==See also==