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DND Flyway

2021-06-18T18:19:14Z

2401:4900:40F4:FE2A:0:4C:4096:9D01: /* DND Flyway */

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{short description|India's first 8-lane wide expressway}}
{{infobox road
| country = IND
| name = Delhi–Noida Direct Flyway
| alternate_name = DND Flyway
| image = Delhi Noida Direct flyway (Uttar Pradesh - 2011-06-18).jpg
| map = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-width=290|frame-height=300|zoom=11|frame-align=center|type=line|stroke-width=3|id= Q5205783|title=Delhi–Noida Direct Flyway}}
| map_custom = yes
| map_notes = Delhi–Noida Direct Flyway in red
| length_km = 9.2
| length_round = 1
| direction_a = West
| terminus_a = 1. [[Maharani Bagh]], [[Delhi]] <br> 2. [[Nizamuddin East|Nizamuddin]], Delhi
| junction =
| direction_b = East
| terminus_b = 1. Sector-15A, [[Noida]] <br> 2. [[Mayur Vihar]], Delhi
| formed = 24 January 2001
| history =
| states = [[Delhi]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| cities = [[New Delhi]] and [[Noida]]
| maint = Noida Toll Bridge Company Limited (NTBCL)
}}

The '''Delhi–Noida Direct Flyway''' or '''DND Flyway''' is India's first 8-[[lane]] wide, {{convert|9.2|km|mi|abbr=on}} long [[Controlled-access highway|access-controlled]] expressway in [[Delhi NCR]].<ref>{{cite web|title=DND Flyway|url=http://www.dndflyway.com/|publisher=DND Flyway|access-date=17 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002234008/http://www.dndflyway.com/|archive-date=2 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> It connects [[Maharani Bagh]] and [[Nizamuddin East|Nizamuddin]] on the western side to [[Noida]] (Sector-15A) and [[Mayur Vihar]] on the eastern side of the [[Yamuna river]]. The Noida Toll Bridge Company Limited (NTBCL) operate and maintains it on [[Build-Own-Operate-Transfer|build-own-operate-transfer]] (BOOT) basis. The expressway, which was opened to the public in January 2001 was constructed by [[Japan]] based [[Mitsui]]–[[Marubeni|Marubeni Corporation Limited]].

The junction of DND Flyway and [[Inner Ring Road, Delhi|Inner Ring Road]] at Maharani Bagh in Delhi is the starting point of India's longest under-construction expressway i.e. [[Delhi–Mumbai Expressway]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/villagers-seek-kmp-del-mum-e-way-link/articleshow/79435848.cms |title=Villagers seek KMP & Delhi–Mumbai Expressway link |work=The Times of India |date=27 November 2020 }}</ref>

==History==
DND Flyway grew out of a need to bridge the growing population of Delhi with its neighboring places across the [[Yamuna]] river. A major portion of Delhi's population lives in the [[East Delhi|Trans-Yamuna]] area and there was a need to build a major connecting facility between the areas growing on both sides of the Yamuna. The project was the precursor to the [[National Highway Development Project]] and was approved by the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Government of India & Government of UP. The EPC contract was based on the World Bank's international competitive procedure.

An [[memorandum of understanding|MoU]] was signed in 1992 between [[Government of Delhi]], NOIDA Authority (Government of UP) and [[IL&FS]], led by [[Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs|Ministry of Urban Development]] (now MoHUA). But till 1996, nothing happened on the project.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/we-never-tried-to-defend-the-agreement-as-perfect-ntbcl-vice-chairman-116122500257_1.html |title=We never tried to defend the agreement as perfect: NTBCL |work=Business Standard |date=27 December 2016 }}</ref>

==NTBCL==
On 08 April 1996, a [[special purpose entity|special purpose vehicle]] (SPV) called Noida Toll Bridge Company Limited (NTBCL) was incorporated for this job, which is also the first Indian 'Toll company' to be listed in [[National Stock Exchange of India]] (NSE) and [[Alternative Investment Market|AIM]] (sub-market of [[London Stock Exchange]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ntbcl.com/ |title=About Noida Toll Bridge Company Limited |work=NTBCL |access-date=10 June 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/india/stockpricequote/constructioncontracting-civil/noidatollbridgecompany/NTB |title=Stocks of Noida Toll Bridge Company Limited |work=Money Control |access-date=10 June 2021 }}</ref> The concession agreement was made for 30 years i.e. from 2001 to 2031. Mr. Pradeep Puri, a retired [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] officer of Karnataka cadre was the first President and CEO of NTBCL from 1997 to 2010. He was also its Vice-Chairman from November 2016 to August 2018. As of March 2018, around 73% share of the company's is owned by the public.

==Construction==
The DND Flyway was constructed by Mitsui–Marubeni Corporation Limited, a Japanese consortium between [[Mitsui & Co.|Mitsui & Co. Ltd.]] and [[Marubeni Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Government-to-probe-anomalies-in-DND-toll-collection/articleshow/49865389.cms |title=Government to probe anomalies in DND toll collection |work=The Times of India |date=21 November 2015 }}</ref> It has grade separated [[Trumpet interchange|Trumpet]] interchange on Delhi end and [[Cloverleaf interchange|Cloverleaf]] interchange on Noida end which is further connected to the [[Noida–Greater Noida Expressway]]. [[Denmark]] based [[Kampsax|Kampsax International]] was tasked with surveying, mapping & providing geographic information for the project.

The project included the construction of a flyover at Ashram Chowk which was handed over to the Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) for maintenance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20011031/ncr1.htm |title=At long last, Ashram Chowk breathes easy |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |date=31 October 2001 }}</ref> The 552.5 [[meter]] long Main bridge and 3 minor bridges over the [[Yamuna river]] was constructed at a cost of [[₹]]408 [[crore]]s (₹4.08 billion), whose construction was started on 1 January 1999.

DND Flyway was inaugurated four months ahead of schedule on 24 January 2001 by the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh [[Rajnath Singh]] in presence of then Lt. Governor of Delhi [[Vijai Kapoor]] & the then Chief Minister of Delhi [[Sheila Dixit]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/noida-jinx-to-keep-akhilesh-yadav-away-from-pm-event/articleshow/50372875.cms| title='Noida jinx' to keep Akhilesh Yadav away from PM event |work=The Economic Times |date=29 December 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=7 October 1999 |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19991007/ibu07060.html |title=Noida Toll Bridge firm plans to float public issue | work=[[Indian Express]] |access-date=12 January 2008}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The commercial service for public was started on 07 February 2001, costing [[₹]]8 for one side journey. NTBCL in 2006, started the construction of an extension to link [[Mayur Vihar]] with DND Flyway which was opened to traffic on 19 January 2008.

==Toll collection==
Delhi–Noida Direct Flyway is also India's first road project to have [[electronic toll collection]] (ETC) lanes. The [[Allahabad High Court]] had on 26 October 2016, ordered that no toll would be collected from the commuters on the DND Flyway on a PIL by the Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Association (FONRWA).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/make-dnd-flyway-toll-free-orders-allahabad-high-court-reports/story-VF3MAnFpMqQE5peWxb4JZP.html |title=No toll tax on DND flyway, rules Allahabad high court |work=Hindustan Times |date=27 October 2016 }}</ref> Later the [[Supreme Court of India]] on 13 July 2018, maintained that no tax will be levied on for now.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-noida-direct-flyway-will-remain-toll-free-says-supreme-court-1284513-2018-07-13 |title=Delhi-Noida Direct Flyway will remain toll-free, says Supreme Court |work=India Today |date=13 July 2018 }}</ref> The court was hearing a plea filed by the NTBCL against an Allahabad HC order.

The NTBCL official says that its income and funds both have dried up after the stretch was made toll-free in 2016. The company has been trying to stay afloat on the basis of advertising revenues by selling hoardings and signboards along the expressway.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/once-an-infrastructure-showpiece-dnd-flyway-is-no-ones-child-now/articleshow/81383601.cms |title=Once an Infrastructure showpiece, DND Flyway is no ones child now |work=The Times of India |date=8 March 2021 }}</ref>

==Entry/ Exits==
[[File:DND Flyway 1.jpg|thumb|right|32-lane Toll Plaza of DND Flyway]]
The following table lists the exits in Noida and Delhi.

{| class=wikitable
!State
!Side
! Exit Location

!Destinations
|-
|[[Uttar Pradesh]]
|East
|Sector 15A, [[Noida]]

|Sector 14 & 14A, Sector 15 & 15A, Sector 16 ([[Noida Film City]]), Sector 18 and Sector 37
|-
|[[Delhi]]
|East
|[[Mayur Vihar]]

|Mayur Vihar, New Ashok Nagar, Patparganj, Vasundhara Enclave
|-
|[[Delhi]]
|West
|[[Maharani Bagh]]

|[[AIIMS New Delhi|AIIMS]], Ashram, Lajpat Nagar, Maharani Bagh, New Friends Colony
|-
|[[Delhi]]
|West
|[[Nizamuddin East|Nizamuddin]]

|[[Delhi Zoo]], Hazrat Nizamuddin, Pragati Maidan, ISBT Sarai Kale Khan
|}

==Status updates==
* '''Apr 1996:''' An [[Special Purpose Vehicle|SPV]] named Noida Toll Bridge Company Limited (NTBCL) is formed on 8 April.
* '''Jan 1999:''' Construction work started by a Japanese consortium of [[Mitsui & Co.]] and [[Marubeni Corporation]].
* '''Jan 2001:''' Expressway is inaugurated jointly by [[Vijai Kapoor|Lt. Governor of Delhi]], CM of Delhi and CM of UP on 24 January.
* '''Jan 2008:''' Extension link to Mayur Vihar opened to the public on 19 January.
* '''Oct 2016:''' [[Allahabad High Court]] on 26 October, ordered that no toll would be collected from the commuters.
* '''Jul 2018:''' [[Supreme Court of India]] upheld the ruling of Allahabad HC on 13 July. DND Flyway to remain Toll-free.

==See also==
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* [[Expressways in India]]
* [[Highways passing from Delhi]]
* [[Delhi–Mumbai Expressway]]
* [[Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway]]
* [[Delhi–Faridabad Skyway]]
* [[Delhi-Meerut Expressway]]
* [[Dwarka Expressway]]
* [[Yamuna Expressway]]
}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons|DND Flyway}}
*{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.co.in/maps/search/Delhi+Noida+Direct+Flyway,+Rose+Garden,+Sector+15A,+New+Delhi,+Delhi/@28.5801661,77.2770333,2535m/data=!3m1!1e3|title= DND Flyway}}

{{Indian Highways Network}}
{{Portal bar|Roads|Transport|Engineering}}

{{Coord|28.5801661|N|77.2770333|E|display=title}}

[[Category:Roads in Delhi]]
[[Category:Expressways in Delhi]]
[[Category:Toll roads in India]]
[[Category:Transport in Noida]]
[[Category:Bridges in Delhi]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in Delhi]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in Uttar Pradesh]]

Agra–Lucknow Expressway

2021-06-18T18:08:15Z

2401:4900:40F4:FE2A:0:4C:4096:9D01: /* Agra–Lucknow Expressway */

{{Short description|longest expressway in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}

{{infobox road
| country = IND
| name = Agra–Lucknow Expressway
| map = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-width=290|frame-height=300|zoom=7|frame-align=center|type=line|stroke-width=3|id= Q16058235|title=Agra Lucknow Expressway}}
| map_custom = yes
| map_notes = Agra Lucknow Expressway in red
| image = Approaching-Yamuna01 Agra Lucknow Expressway (33198644271).jpg
| length_km = 302.22
| direction_a = West
| direction_b = East
| terminus_a = Inner Ring Road, [[Agra]]
| junction =
| terminus_b = Fatehganj, [[Lucknow]]
| formed = 23 February 2017<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/agra-lucknow-expressway-inauguration-see-touchdown-8-iaf-combat-jets-703819|title=Agra-Lucknow expressway inauguration to see touchdown of 8 IAF combat jets|first=Aditya|last=Bhat|date=14 November 2016|access-date=6 June 2018|work=International Business Times}}</ref>
| state = Uttar Pradesh
| maint = [[Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority]] (UPEIDA)
}}

The '''Agra–Lucknow Expressway''' is a 302 km long, 6-[[lane]] wide (extendable to 8-lanes) [[Controlled-access highway|access-controlled expressway]] constructed by the [[Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority]] (UPEIDA)<ref>{{cite web|title=Agra to Lucknow Access Controlled Expressway (Green Field) Project|url=http://www.upeida.in/project_8.htm|website=UPEIDA|access-date=2 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712131932/http://www.upeida.in/project_8.htm|archive-date=12 July 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> to reduce traffic in already congested roads and to reduce [[pollution]] and [[carbon footprint]].<ref name="TOI IAF">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/8-IAF-fighter-jets-to-touch-down-Agra-Lucknow-Expressway/Taj-Expressway-on-Nov-21/articleshow/55402700.cms|title=8 IAF fighter jets to touch down Agra-Lucknow Expressway/ Taj Expressway on Nov 21|first=Arvind|last=Chauhan|date=13 November 2016|access-date=6 June 2018|work=The Times of India}}</ref> The Agra–Lucknow Expressway reduced the distance between the cities of [[Agra]] and [[Lucknow]] in the [[States and union territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]] and is presently India's longest operation expressway since February 2017.

It was partly opened for light vehicles (Lucknow to Shikohabad) and inaugurated on 21 November 2016 by then [[Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh]] Akhilesh Yadav.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/211116/iaf-jets-touch-down-for-opening-of-agra-lucknow-expressway.html|title=IAF jets touch down for opening of Agra-Lucknow Expressway|work=Deccan Chronicle|agency=Press Trust of India|date=21 November 2016|access-date=17 May 2021}}</ref> On 23 February 2017, the expressway was opened to the public from Lucknow to Agra. It is widely seen as his dream project and the flagship model of development in the state, being the first of its kind to be completed in the shortest span of time.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.in/Eight-fighter-jets-to-land-on-Agra-Lucknow-expressway/articleshow/55412366.cms|title=Eight fighter jets to land on Agra-Lucknow expressway/ Taj Expressway|work=Business Insider|agency=Times News Network|date=14 November 2016|access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/8-fighter-jets-at-opening-of-agra-lucknow-expressway-indias-longest-1627999|title=6 Jets Touch Down For Opening Of Agra-Lucknow Expressway, India's Longest|first=Vishnu|last=Som|date=21 November 2016|work=NDTV|access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref>

==Overview==
The cost of project was expected to be {{INRConvert|15000|c|lk=on|year=2016}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Agra-Lucknow Expressway to be operational by Oct 2016|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/agra-lucknow-expressway-to-be-operational-by-oct-2016-115052000998_1.html|access-date=2 February 2016|work=Business Standard|date=20 May 2015|first=Virendra Singh|last=Rawat}}</ref> but was completed in {{INRConvert|13200|c|year=2016}} and in record time of 22 months.<ref name="TOI IAF" /> It would cut travel time between Lucknow and Agra from 6 hours to 3:30 hours. The expressway is 6-lane wide (expandable to 8-lane in future) although the structures (major, minor bridges and underpasses) on the expressway are already being constructed as 8-laned to be in tune with the expanded width of the expressway in future.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Lucknow-Agra-e-way-structures-to-be-expanded-up-to-eight-lanes/articleshow/47349878.cms|title=Lucknow-Agra e-way structures to be expanded up to eight lanes|work=The Times of India|date=20 May 2015 |access-date=1 July 2015|agency=Times News Network}}</ref> It is proposed on minimum distance and minimal agricultural land formula and will be financed by the [[Government of Uttar Pradesh]].<ref name="auto">{{cite news|title=UP government plans to develop industrial zones at 43 stations of eastern dedicated freight corridor|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/UP-government-plans-to-develop-industrial-zones-at-43-stations-of-eastern-dedicated-freight-corridor/articleshow/38992096.cms|work=The Times of India|date=25 June 2014|access-date=28 July 2015|first=Priyanka|last=Singh|agency=Times News Network}}</ref> The Expressway will carry all public amenities via underpasses, service roads, provision for green belt, rest houses, petrol pumps, service centres, restaurants and four agricultural mandis for milk, potatoes, grains, fruits and vegetables.

==Route & Exits==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! S.No !! Station !! Inter Station distance in Kilometres !! [[Chainage]] in Kilometres From Agra
|-
|1||[[Agra]]||0.000||0.000
|-
|2||[[Firozabad]]||24||24
|-
|3||[[Shikohabad]]||45||70
|-
|4||[[Etawah]]||17||87
|-
|5||[[Kannauj]]||80||165
|-
|6||[[Unnao]]||85||260
|-
|7||[[Lucknow]]||40||302
|-
|}

This expressway is connected to [[Yamuna Expressway]] through the Agra Ring Road, and thus providing an [[expressways in India|express link]] between [[Greater Noida]], [[National Capital Region|NCR]] to Lucknow via Agra. It connects [[Agra]] and [[Lucknow]] via [[Shikohabad]], [[Firozabad]], [[Mainpuri]], [[Etawah]], [[Auraiya]], [[Kanpur]], [[Kannauj]], [[Unnao]] and [[Lucknow]]. The expressway will start at village Etmadpur Madra near Agra and will end at village Sarosa Bharosa near Mohan Road, Lucknow.<ref>{{cite news|title=Govt to rope in Spanish co for Lko-Agra expressway|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Govt-to-rope-in-Spanish-co-for-Lko-Agra-expressway/articleshow/46047730.cms|work=The Times of India|date=29 January 2015|access-date=28 July 2015|agency=Times News Network}}</ref>

== Rest Areas ==
These are given below in direction of travel, as notably different from non-expressway custom, services on one side of the road are only meant for travelers for that side of the direction of travel, so only services created on left of the road are available to you but not the same available while traveling in other direction, usually, a similar set of service is created on other side of road at same spot or within few km. of other side facility.

* Eastbound ([[Agra]] to [[Lucknow]]) - There are two rest areas while going east:

1) About 100 km from Agra Toll Entrance

2) At 219 km from Agra Toll Entrance

* Westbound ([[Lucknow]] to [[Agra]]) - These rest areas are available while going west:

1) At 105 km milestone from Lucknow toll entrance.

2) At 205 km milestone from Lucknow toll entrance.

==Toll rates==
The toll rates applicable for the Agra Lucknow Expressway (as of January 2018) is given in the table below:

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Vehicle Type (sourikh to Lucknow)

!Rate
(in ₹)
|-
|Car, jeep, van or light motor vehicles
|595
|-
|Light commercial vehicle or mini bus
|930
|-
|Bus and truck
|1,870
|-
|Heavy construction work machine and multi-axle vehicle (3 to 6)
|2,875
|-
|Over-sized vehicle (7 and above axles)
|3,680
|-
|Motorcycles (2-wheeler)
|295
|}

==Construction==
[[File:Approaching-Yamuna02Agra Lucknow Expressway (33171254712).jpg|thumb|Agra Lucknow Expressway]]
The construction work of 302 km long Agra–Lucknow Expressway was divided into 5 packages. The list of contractors is as follows:<ref>{{cite news|title=Decks cleared for Agra-Lucknow expressway|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/decks-cleared-for-agralucknow-expressway/article6316544.ece|work=The Hindu|date=14 August 2014|access-date=28 July 2015|first=Atiq|last=Khan}}</ref>

{| class=wikitable
!Sr. No
!Package
!Length ([[km]])
!Contractor
|-
| 1.
| [[Agra]]–Firozabad
| 55.3
| [[Tata Group|Tata Projects]]
|-
| 2.
| Firozabad–Etawah
| 62
| [[Afcons Infrastructure]]
|-
| 3.
| Etawah–Kannauj
| 57
| [http://ncclimited.com/ Nagarjuna Construction Company]
|-
| 4.
| Kannauj–Unnao
| 64
| Afcons Infrastructure
|-
| 5.
| Unnao–[[Lucknow]]
| 63
| [[Larsen and Toubro]]
|}

==Greenfield Project==
The Agra-Lucknow Expressway is considered to be a Greenfield project as there were no work constraints of existing buildings or infrastructure. [[Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority]] (UPEIDA) purchased almost 3,127 hectares of land without a murmur of dissent and decided to pay four times the circle rates (CR) to the land owners in rural areas and twice the CR in urban parts, as purchase cost. The rest of land was acquired through land acquisition method<ref>{{cite news|title=Land acquisition: Modi to learn a lesson from Akhilesh|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/good-governance/uttar-pradesh/Land-acquisition-Modi-to-learn-a-lesson-from-Akhilesh/articleshow/47452485.cms|access-date=2 February 2016|first=Swati|last=Mathur|date=28 May 2015|work=The Times of India|agency=Times News Network}}</ref>

==Emergency Airstrip==
[[Bangarmau Airstrip|Bangarmau Emergency Airstrip]] (Unnao district) {{Coord|26.919334|N|80.253053|E|type:airport}}
* A group of six fighter jets of the [[Indian Air Force]], comprising [[Sukhoi Su-30MKI]] and [[Dassault Mirage 2000]], touched down to perform test runs on Agra-Lucknow expressway on the day of its inauguration.<ref name="TOI IAF" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/agra-lucknow-expressway-india-longest-greenfield-highway-10-facts-features-highlights-akhilesh-yadav-up-government/451101/|title=Agra-Lucknow Expressway: India’s longest greenfield expressway reduces travel time between Delhi-Lucknow to 6 hours; 10 facts to know|date=21 November 2016|work=Financial Express|access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref>
* According to [[Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority|UPEIDA]] , "''A dedicated 3 km stretch has been built for war-like emergencies on expressway''."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.in/Eight-fighter-jets-to-land-on-Agra-Lucknow-expressway/articleshow/55412366.cms|title=Eight fighter jets to land on Agra-Lucknow expressway|date=14 November 2016|work=Business Insider|agency=Times News Network|access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref>
* In May 2015, as a first military aviation in the country, [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] successfully landed a [[Dassault Mirage 2000|French Dassault Mirage-2000]] fighter jet on the [[Yamuna Expressway]] near Raya village, [[Mathura]], as a part of elaborate trials to see how many other highways can be used for war-like emergencies.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Chauhan |first=Arvind |date=22 May 2015 |title=IAF successfully test-lands Mirage on Yamuna e-way |newspaper=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/IAF-successfully-test-lands-Mirage-on-Yamuna-e-way/articleshow/47378100.cms|access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref>
* In Oct 2017, [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] conducted a dedicated exercise and successfully landed/touched down [[Dassault Mirage 2000|French Dassault Mirage-2000]], [[Sukhoi Su-30MKI]], [[SEPECAT Jaguar]], [[Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules]] fighter jets.

==Controversy==
It was alleged that some of the 3,500 hectare of land that was purchased for the route were artificially inflated in price by officials who then received kickbacks from the landowners. Lands that were in fact farmland were listed as residential, which gave them a higher value.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Lucknow-Agra Expressway project under Yogi Adityanath govt's scanner |agency=Press Trust of India |date=21 April 2017 |newspaper=The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/lucknow-agra-expressway-project-under-yogi-adityanath-govts-scanner/articleshow/58297691.cms|access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref>

==Status updates==
[[File:RoB-Badan01Agra Lucknow Expressway (33171173742).jpg|thumb|As of early March 2017, one side of the rail over bridge at [[Bhadan]] is still under construction]]
* '''Nov 2013:''' No developers bid for this ₹9,000 crore project on a "build, own, operate and transfer" basis.<ref>{{cite news|title=No bidders for Akhilesh 's Lucknow-Agra expressway project|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/lucknow/no-bidders-for-akhilesh-s-lucknow-agra-expressway-project/article1-1150537.aspx|work=Hindustan Times|date=13 November 2013|access-date=28 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113071123/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/lucknow/no-bidders-for-akhilesh-s-lucknow-agra-expressway-project/article1-1150537.aspx|archive-date=13 November 2013}}</ref> Exclusion of provision for free land parcels across the expressway to developer was the main concern among participating developer companies for keeping them away from project.
* '''Jun 2014:''' [[Government of Uttar Pradesh]] decided to execute this project through state government financing, rather than private vendor financed basis, without provision for free land parcels across the expressway to developer companies. The Government of Uttar Pradesh invited bids in 5 packages for the Agra-Lucknow Expressway. Following this, 24 companies submitted their applications for 5 different patches of the expressway.
* '''Aug 2014:''' Through the bidding process developers are finalized who will be executing each of five sections simultaneously.
* '''Sep 2014:''' 50% of the land required for the project is already acquired.<ref>{{cite news|title=Govt reduces Lucknow-Agra Expressway deadline by 6 months|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/govt-reduces-lucknow-agra-expressway-deadline-by-6-months/|work=The Indian Express|date=12 September 2014|access-date=28 July 2015|first=Maulshree|last=Seth}}</ref>
* '''Nov 2014:''' "Foundation stone laid". 7,000 acres acquired for this 15,000 Crores project. The target for the completion of the project is set to 22 months.<ref>{{cite news|title=Agra-Lucknow expressway's foundation laid, to be done in 22 months|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/agra-lucknow-expressway-s-foundation-laid-to-be-done-in-22-months-114112300710_1.html|work=Business Standard|date=23 November 2014|access-date=28 July 2015|agency=Indo-Asian News Service}}</ref>
* '''May 2015:''' Work on two major bridges on [[Yamuna]] and [[Ganges|Ganga]] river started.<ref>{{cite news|title=Independent body to monitor UP projects|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Independent-body-to-monitor-UP-projects/articleshow/47364508.cms|work=The Times of India|date=21 May 2015|access-date=28 July 2015|first=Subhash|last=Mishra}}</ref> UP Chief Secretary, [[Alok Ranjan]] said that the expressway would be operational by the end of October 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=Agra-Lucknow Expressway to be operational by Oct 2016|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/agra-lucknow-expressway-to-be-operational-by-oct-2016-115052000998_1.html|work=Business Standard|date=20 May 2015|access-date=28 July 2015|first=Virendra Singh|last=Rawat}}</ref>
* '''Nov 2016:''' The expressway was inaugurated on 21 November 2016 by [[Chief Minister]] [[Akhilesh Yadav]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Som |first=Vishnu |date=21 November 2016 |title=6 Jets Touch Down For Opening Of Agra-Lucknow Expressway, India's Longest |url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/8-fighter-jets-at-opening-of-agra-lucknow-expressway-indias-longest-1627999 |work=NDTV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121051411/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/8-fighter-jets-at-opening-of-agra-lucknow-expressway-indias-longest-1627999 |archive-date=21 November 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy }}</ref>
* '''Dec 2016:''' The expressway was partially opened to public from Lucknow till [[Shikohabad]]. As of 23 December 2016, only light vehicles were allowed to pass the stretch.<ref>{{cite news|title=AGRA-LUCKNOW EXPRESSWAY THROWN OPEN TOR PUBLIC|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/agra-lucknow-expressway-thrown-open-tor-public.html|work=The Pioneer|date=24 December 2016|access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref>
* '''Feb 2017:''' The expressway is opened to the public from Lucknow till Agra on 23 February 2017, but still road construction is happening at some places.
* '''Mar 2017:''' [[Akhilesh Yadav]] of [[Samajwadi Party]] lost the UP assembly elections of 2017. [[Yogi Adityanath]] of [[BJP]] became the next Chief Minister of UP on 19 March 2017.
* '''Jan 2018:''' Toll collection starts by authorities wef 19 January 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/up-govt-fixes-toll-rates-for-agra-lucknow-expressway-1800884|title=UP Government Fixes Toll Rates For Agra-Lucknow Expressway|work=NDTV|date=16 January 2018|access-date=30 January 2018|agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Expressway (India)|Expressways in India]]
* [[National Highways Development Project]]
* [[Purvanchal Expressway]]
* [[Eastern Peripheral Expressway]]
* [[Western Peripheral Expressway]]
* [[Yamuna Expressway]] ([[Greater Noida]] to [[Agra]])
* [[Highway strip]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150925100429/http://www.upeida.in/agra_lko_expressway_feasibility_report.pdf REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) (VOLUME - IV) FEASIBILITY REPORT]

{{Highways in India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agra - Lucknow Expressway}}
[[Category:Expressways in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Transport in Agra]]
[[Category:Transport in Lucknow]]