All about Delhi's new Eastern Peripheral Expressway
What's the story
Days before Narendra Modi is slated to inaugurate the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, the excitement is pulsating. Not only will it divert around 2 lakh vehicles passing through daily, it'll also reduce congestion and pollution. In fact, Modi had laid its inauguration stone in 2015. Notably, the cost of construction of just the Delhi's portion of the expressway is Rs 4,420 crore. Here's more.
Details
Six-lane access-controlled expressway, Rs. 4,420cr project
The Rs. 4,420cr project will throw open a six-lane access-controlled expressway for the public. The transport companies have hailed the 135-km expressway, saying it will "save them from Delhi's traffic." "EPE is going to be a game changer for the transport industry to move their business out of Delhi," said Harpreet Singh Malhotra, MD and chairman, Tiger Logistics (India) Limited.
Why?
Toll tax will be 25% higher
The expressway will originate from Kundli and go till Palwal, covering major junctions like Bhaghpat, Ghaziabad, Meerut, etc. However, the toll taxes, which would be 25% more than the standard rates, have divided the industry. While Malhotra points out since the overall cost will be lesser now, the high toll tax isn't a dampener, others said it might affect the logistics sector.
Congestion tax
This expressway might help Delhi save 12% of GDP
Recently, a Boston Consulting Group report, commissioned by Uber, said congestion in the four metros-Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru-is costing the country a whopping Rs. 1.47lakh crore a year in fuel wastage, reduced productivity, air pollution and accidents, with Delhi losing 12% of its GDP. Since this expressway is expected to reduce congestion in Delhi, it might also help saving the country its lakhs.