Yamuna Expressway opens amid farmers’ protest

  • 10/08/2012

  • Tribune (New Delhi)

The 165-km-long Yamuna Expressway, which will reduce commuting time between Greater Noida and Agra to a mere two hours, was inaugurated today by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav from Lucknow. The fast-track road is built at a cost of Rs 12,000 crore. Samajwadi Party leader and Rajya Sabha member Ram Gopal Yadav flagged off the vehicles on the expressway and declared it open to the public. Till August 15, the highway will be toll-free. While cars and LMVs will have to pay toll of Rs 320 for a one-way trip, two-wheelers and mini buses will have to shell out Rs 150 and Rs 500, respectively. Terming it as a milestone, Ram Gopal Yadav said, “The expressway will lead to development. In two hours, one will be able to reach Agra. This will save both petrol and time.” Pointing out the deficiencies, he said, “On Mathura to Agra stretch, the barricading is low and display boards were put cautioning public to ‘Drive Carefully, Nilgai-prone area’.” He said measures should be taken to keep the cattle away and prevent accidents. The project saw the light of the day after months of delay due to varied reasons ranging from farmers' protests over land acquisition to demand for free service lanes for nearby villages. Meanwhile, thousands of farmers of villages of five districts across the Yamuna Expressway today threatened to intensify their agitation and observe August 14 as Shaheedi Diwas if their demands for service lane and interchanges were not met. Waving black flags, many farmers temporarily blocked the six-lane Yamuna Expressway protesting against the Akhilesh Yadav government for not fulfilling the promises he had made to them during the bypoll in Agra. While inaugurating the expressway, Akhilesh assured that no development in the state would be possible without the consent of the farmers. In a letter to Akhilesh, RLD MP from Mathura Jayant Chaudhary had even demanded postponement of the inauguration of the expressway till the issues with the farmers were resolved. Farmers’ demands The MoU between the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority and Jaypee Infratech had promised service lanes and underpasses along the expressway. Only 15 km to 20 km of service lane is complete The 500 acres set aside at five places for development projects not followed up Cases against farmers still not withdrawn