On fast track: Ambitious EPE project split into three.

In a bid to fast-track the construction of the ambitious Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE), the first expressway to be awarded by the Centre, the government has decided to break the project into three parts. The decision was taken since the expressway has as many as 90 structures (underpasses, over bridges, flyovers), which make it heavy on costs.

'Since the costs will be huge, any one engineering procurement construction (EPC) contractor may find to difficult to execute it. Also, splitting of the project would allow the work to begin simultaneously at three segments of the project, enabling early completion of the whole project,' an official said.

It is understood that the three parts of the expressway, with a total length of 135 km, would connect portions of National Highway (NH) 1, NH 24, NH 58 — Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Palwal. The proposed expressway will also be connected to Yamuna Expressway between Delhi and Agra.

'The detailed project report (DPR) for this is already under preparation and the projects are expected to be bid out soon,' the official added.