The Yamuna Expressway opened to the traffic on Thursday, 9 August; amid lots of protests from the farmers. The 165km six-lane expressway connects Greater Noida to Agra and is expected to drastically reduce the travel time between the two cities. Infrastructure developers have announced one-way toll of Rs 320 for cars and Rs 150 for two-wheelers. However, the toll will be applicable only after 15 August, offering six days of free motoring.
With the Yamuna Expressway, the drive from Delhi to Taj Mahal is expected to take no more than 2 and half hours. Uttar Pradesh CM, Akhilesh Yadav, inaugurated the freeway via video conference from the state capital, Lucknow. The highway is built under the public-private partnership model and is the biggest such project in the country for the development cost of USD 2.4 billion. There are three toll plazas on the entire stretch with 16 gates on each side to make the process swift. Fuel stations, ATMs, and public convenience facilities will also open on this expressway soon.
