8 interesting facts about India’s first 14-lane expressway

The first-phase of Delhi-Meerut expressway has been partially thrown open to commuters. The 14-lane expressway, which is first of its kind, has many interesting facts surrounding it.
1. 100% access-controlled, signal-free national highway – The Delhi-Meerut Expressway is a 100% access-controlled, signal-free national highway. The entire project will be 82-km long. Out of this 27.74 kilometres will be 14-laned while the rest would be a 6-lane expressway.
2. Eco-friendly, makes use of solar power – Working in line with world’s shift to renewable and environment-friendly forms of power, the expressway makes use of solar power.
3. Dedicated bicycle track first time on Delhi-Dasna stretch – The expressway has a 2.5-metre-wide cycle track on either side of the highway, which is said to be the first-of-its-kind on the 28 km stretch between Delhi and Dasna. It also has a 1.5 metre wide footpath.
4. Has vertical gardens aimed at reducing overall pollution levels – As a step towards reducing the overall pollution levels, the expressway has vertical gardens. In the first package, a vertical garden has been made at the Yamuna Bridge.
5. Watering of plants through drip irrigation system – The watering of these plants on the expressway will be done through the drip irrigation system.
6. Around 5.91 km of expressway elevated section – Around 5.91 kilometres of the total 82 km long Delhi-Meerut Expressway will be an elevated section.
7. Around 2:30:00 journey now only in 00:45:00 – Travelling from Delhi to Meerut takes around 2.5 hours. Once the expressway is finished, it will reduce the journey time between Delhi and Meerut to just 45 minutes.
8. Record 12 months ahead of estimated time – The inaugurated 9 kilometre stretch of the expressway is said to be made in a record time of 18 months as against the earlier estimated time of 30 months. i.e., a record 12 months ahead of time.
The Delhi-Meerut Expressway project eventually aims to connect Delhi-NCR to Meerut, western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The entire project envisages building 11 flyovers/interchanges, 3 rail-over-bridges, 5 major and 24 minor bridges, 36 vehicular and 14 pedestrian underpasses.
The project has been divided into 4 packages: Nizamuddin Bridge to UP border (8.36 km), UP border to Dasna (19.28 km), Dasna to Hapur (22.27 km), Green-field alignment of Delhi-Meerut Expressway from Dasna to Meerut (31.78 km). The first package has been built at an approximate cost of Rs 842 crore. The entire project is expected to be completed at a cost of Rs 4975.17 crore.