Noida: Construction work on a long-neglected road beneath the Bhangel Elevated Corridor has been initiated. ending months of uncertainty over who would execute the project and when the battered stretch would be restored. For thousands of commuters and shopkeepers who spent years navigating craters, traffic snarls and choking dust, relief may finally be around the corner.According to UP State Bridge Corporation Limited (UPSBCL) senior official Shashi Bhushan, the 5.5km stretch is set for a revamp at an estimated cost of Rs 35 crore, with June set as the deadline for completion. The final amount for the project, however, would depend on the construction material used, he added.The road runs below the elevated corridor through Bhangel and Salarpur – two densely populated and commercially active pockets of Noida. Since construction of the elevated road began nearly four years ago, the surface road below was left in a dilapidated condition, severely affecting daily traffic movement and local businesses. Large sections became riddled with potholes and uneven patches due to prolonged use by heavy construction machinery, while repeated diversions added to congestion.Traders in the area say the damage has gone far beyond being an inconvenience. “People stopped coming because vehicles would get stuck for long periods. Deliveries were delayed and footfall dropped sharply,” said a shopkeeper in Bhangel market.Sandeep Chauhan, district general secretary of UP Udyog Vyapar Mandal, remains sceptical about the reconstruction work on the road. “The authority has not been proactive in resolving our issues. Recently, members of our association pooled money to repair the road so that customers would come to our shops,” he said.According to officials, the agreement for construction of the Bhangel Elevated Corridor clearly stated that the surface road beneath the structure was also to be built by UPSBCL. However, the project became mired in a dispute between the corporation and the Noida Authority over pending payments, casting doubt over when—or even if—the road would be rebuilt.Last year, UPSBCL had informed the Authority that it was unwilling to proceed with ancillary works such as service roads and drainage, citing unpaid dues of nearly Rs 150 crore. The corporation claimed that its payments for price escalation, GST differences and interest on delayed payments were yet to be cleared. With no immediate resolution, the authority began exploring the option of taking up the work itself.In Nov, the Authority began exploring the possibility of executing the road repairs on its own, citing the urgent need to restore the stretch. The deteriorating condition of the road became a daily ordeal for commuters passing through Barola, Bhangel and nearby sectors. Residents complained that school buses and ambulances frequently got stuck in traffic snarls, turning the damaged road into a safety hazard.The deadlock escalated when UPSBCL approached the Allahabad High Court in Sept last year, seeking appointment of an arbitrator over the financial dispute. The corporation argued that without further payments, it could not be expected to complete additional works linked to the elevated corridor.The standoff was eventually broken after a meeting between senior officials of the authority and UPSBCL, during which the contract terms were reviewed. Following the discussions, the bridge corporation agreed to take up the construction of the surface road as part of its contractual obligation.
