Yamuna Expressway opens to public; Toll charge hiked

Delhi-Agra travel time is set to be cut down by half via the newly opened Yamuna Expressway. However, this will come at the cost of high toll charges to the commuters. Currently, the toll charge on the NH-2 from Delhi to Agra for a passenger car is about Rs 110 per trip. This will almost triple on the Expressway at Rs 320 per trip (or Rs 2.10 per km). A round trip will be more economical at Rs 520 per trip. One-way toll charges for two-wheelers are Rs 150 and about Rs 1,050 for buses and trucks. Monthly passes are subject to discounts.

In addition, vehicles carrying union and state government officials and foreign dignitaries will be exempted from paying toll charges. Fire brigades and ambulances will also have free access to the Expressway.

Toll charges will be exercised only after 15th August. It will be free until then, probably to create a buzz around the expressway.

The six-lane expressway cost Rs 13,300-crore and took almost four years to complete. It was opened to public on Thursday afternoon.

So how does it compare to National Highway-2 otherwise? The 200 km plus distance from Delhi to Agra will be reduced to 165 km on the Expressway. Travel time will also be cut down from 4-5 hours to just over 2 hours.

The Expressway developers Jaypee Group is expecting toll income of Rs 200-250 cr in the first year, and daily use by 20,000-40,000 vehicles.

Other points

• Speed limit has been fixed at 100 kph for cars and 60 kph for heavy vehicles. The company claims that speed traps have been set up to catch offenders.
• There is a provision to expand the freeway to eight lanes if required.
• Three toll plazas with 16 gates on each side.
• Fuel stations, ATMs and other public convenience facilities to come soon.