Yamuna Expressway
Yamuna Expressway is a 6-lane, long [Controlled-access highway|access-controlled expressway in] the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is presently India's sixth longest expressway and connects Greater Noida with Agra. It was built to de-congest the older Delhi–Agra national highway National [Highway 2 |] or Mathura Road.
The expressway saw an investment and was inaugurated on 9 August 2012 by then Chief Minister of UP Akhilesh Yadav. A total of 13 service roads of about 168 km were built for local commuters to access the expressway.
History
After years of delays, construction was completed in May 2012, and the expressway was formally inaugurated on 9 August 2012, about two years behind its original target completion date.Landing of Fighter jets
In a first for military aviation in India, the Indian Air Force on 21 May 2015 successfully landed a French Dassault Mirage 2000 on the Yamuna Expressway near Raya village, Mathura.The mock drill was a practice run to evaluate the utility of highways for emergency landings by military aircraft.
Characteristics
The Yamuna Expressway has SOS booths along the route besides a toll-free helpline. CCTV cameras are installed every along the expressway. There are mobile radars to monitor compliance with minimum and maximum speed limits; and one highway patrol every. The Expressway is expected to be used by over 100,000 vehicles every day, and reduce travel times between Greater Noida and Agra from four hours to one hour 40 minutes. There is a patrol station at Tappal, the halfway point on the expressway. Tappal from Noida Sec. 37 i.e. botanical garden. In 2025, the Yamuna Expressway successfully implemented all road safety measures recommended by an expert team from IIT Delhi.Metro Rail connectivity
Metro rail service from Pari Chowk to Yamuna Expressway Sector 18 and 20 will be added in the future, according to officials.Development
The Expressway was developed by Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority in 3 phases and the contract was awarded to Jaypee Infratech Limited:- Phase I: Expressway Stretch between Greater Noida & proposed Taj International Aviation Hub.
- Phase II: Expressway Stretch between proposed Taj International Aviation Hub and an intermediate destination between proposed Taj International Aviation Hub & Agra.
- Phase III: Expressway Stretch between intermediate destination & Agra.
The speed limit on the expressway is for vehicles. The right most lane on the expressway is reserved for overtaking only. Heavy vehicles are limited to a maximum speed of 60 kilometers per hour.
Upcoming Residential Project
Yamuna Expressway has become most preferred for Builders and developers. Many reputed builders are bringing residential projects at Yamuna Expressway. To inject new life into the real estate market, Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority has come up with lucrative affordable housing projects. Under the new subvention scheme YEIDA has launched 200 small ticket size apartments and 80 large size residential flats.
Agra–Lucknow connectivity
A Agra–Lucknow Expressway Project is completed with estimated budget of 15,000 crore extends YEA to Lucknow enabling fast transit.
Agra–Lucknow Expressway will extend to the proposed Sanjay Khan project of a theme park of seven cities. Yamuna Expressway linked to Agra-Lucknow Expressway through Agra Inner Ring Road Expressway which also shortens the distance and avoid the heavy traffic of Agra, tourists can directly reach Taj Mahal. In March 2025, the Indian government approved the project to connect the Yamuna Expressway with the Delhi-Agra Highway.
Goals
The goals of the expressway are as follows:- To establish a high-speed corridor for efficient travel time reduction.
- To link key built-up area and commercial zones situated on the eastern side of the Yamuna River.
- To foster development in the surrounding areas.
- To alleviate traffic congestion on NH-2, which passes through densely populated cities like Faridabad, Ballabgarh, and Palwal.
- To, combined with NH-2 and NH-91, create an extensive road network, promoting comprehensive development.
- Facilitate swift transportation of essential supplies and aid to affected regions during emergencies such as flooding along the Yamuna River.
Features
Medical amenities such as vans, stretchers, and beds are available on request, and partnerships with two hospitals provide access to air ambulance for urgent situations.
The expressway is equipped with closed-circuit television surveillance, which is used to monitor vehicle's speeds.
Authorities plan to install fuelling stations, food courts, ATMs, and public restrooms along the expressway.
Toll rates
Toll are charged at three points along the expressway. Cars are charged and mini-buses. Buses and Trucks are charged. Heavy vehicles are charged.There are 16 toll plazas on each side of the expressway.
Status updates
- Apr 2001: A 6-lane wide expressway is conceived between Greater Noida and Agra by the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Rajnath Singh. Taj Expressway Authority, a statutory body constituted on 20 April 2001.
- Feb 2003: Concession Agreement between TEA and Jaypee Infratech Ltd as the concessionaire was executed on 7 February 2003.
- Sep 2007: Land acquisition began by the Government of UP, led by the then Chief Minister Mayawati.
- Jan 2008: Construction work started by Jaypee Infratech Ltd.
- July 2008: Taj Expressway renamed as Yamuna Expressway with effect from 11 July 2008.
- May 2011: Protest started by farmers of 2011 [Land acquisition protests in Uttar Pradesh|Bhatta and Parsaul] villages near Dankaur in Gautam Buddha Nagar district.
- Aug 2012: Yamuna Expressway is inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav on 9 August 2012.
- Jun 2021: toll collection">toll (fee)">toll collection has been started on 15 June 2021 by using FASTag RFID on vehicles.