NHAI plans 12-km elevated road from Lal Kuan to Dadri; Ghaziabad commuters could soon get a faster route to Noida International Airport

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated the feasibility study for a proposed 12-km elevated road connecting Lal Kuan and Dadri in Uttar Pradesh.

The project was recently announced by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and aims to reduce congestion on the heavily used GT Road corridor linking Ghaziabad with Noida, Sikandrabad, Bulandshahr, Khurja and Aligarh.

According to NHAI officials, the proposal has been under consideration for several years and has now moved into the planning stage.

Where will the elevated road begin?

The proposed six-lane elevated road will start near the junction of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and NH-9 at Lal Kuan.

It will bypass the existing four-lane GT Road stretch up to Dadri, offering motorists a smoother and faster alternative while reducing pressure on the current highway.

Faster route to Noida Airport

One of the major benefits of the project is expected to be improved access to the upcoming Noida International Airport.

The elevated corridor will connect seamlessly with the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, allowing travellers from Ghaziabad to reach the airport more quickly while avoiding traffic congestion through city roads.

Why is the project needed?

The Lal Kuan-Dadri stretch has become one of the busiest highway sections in the National Capital Region.

Traffic congestion is caused by multiple factors, including:

• Heavy commuter traffic between Ghaziabad and Greater Noida
• Freight vehicles heading towards the NTPC plant at Dadri
• Industrial traffic from Kot and Surajpur
• Encroachments and roadside commercial activity
• Illegal parking that narrows the carriageway

NHAI estimates that the corridor currently carries around 35,000 Passenger Car Units (PCUs) every day, making capacity expansion essential.

Rising development increasing traffic pressure

Officials expect traffic volumes to rise further as residential townships, industries and commercial developments continue to expand across Greater Noida.

The emergence of the New Noida industrial hub is also expected to increase freight movement significantly in the coming years.

The elevated road is intended to serve as a long-term solution to accommodate future traffic demand.

Project cost and next steps

Following the feasibility study, NHAI will prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR). Officials estimate the project will cost around Rs 2,000 crore.

Construction timelines will be finalised after the DPR is completed and the necessary approvals are obtained.

Earlier highway expansion faced delays

NHAI had earlier proposed widening the 126-km Lal Kuan-Aligarh highway from four lanes to six in 2019.

However, the project was delayed because of land acquisition issues. With traffic continuing to increase, authorities now believe that an elevated corridor will provide a more effective long-term solution than simply widening the existing road.

Ghaziabad also plans another elevated road

Separately, the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) is planning a four-lane elevated road between Ghanta Ghar and Bhatia Mod to reduce congestion on GT Road within the city limits.

The two projects together are expected to significantly improve traffic flow across Ghaziabad and strengthen regional connectivity.

FAQs

When will the Lal Kuan-Dadri elevated road be built?
The project is currently in the feasibility study stage. Construction will begin after the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is completed and approvals are secured.

How long will the elevated road be?
The proposed elevated corridor will be approximately 12 kilometres long.

What is the estimated cost of the project?
The project is expected to cost around Rs 2,000 crore.

How will the project benefit commuters?
The elevated road will reduce traffic congestion, shorten travel time between Lal Kuan and Dadri, and provide quicker connectivity to Noida International Airport via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway.

Inputs from TOI