Thanks to a family function in Agra – I got a chance to drive on the Yamuna Expressway. I had heard a lot about it from the point when people were using it even when it was not officially opened to the news of tyres bursting due to over-speeding. We were travelling from Meerut to Agra on 23rd September. As we got on to the expressway, we spontaneously had the expression “wow”! Wide roads with minimal traffic – a sight rare in India. Even the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway which used to have limited traffic a few years back is now sometimes choked at peak hours.
The expressway is 165 km long with a 3 lane road on each side. It has 3 tolls on way to Agra. On the first toll, you need to inform the person that you want a ‘ticket’ to Agra. The cost was about Rs.320 for one way and Rs.510 for the return journey within 24 hours. At each subsequent toll, you need to show this ticket which would be scanned by the person and you’d be allowed to go through.
On every toll there are public conveniences like toilets and restaurants which you’d not find anywhere else on the expressway. Also, it would be good to get your fuel tank completely filled much before you touch the highway as currently we could not spot a petrol pump on the highway. There had been news when a car ran out of petrol on the expressway and the “victims” had to call their acquaintances from Mathura to get petrol for them. Though there are plans to set up petrol pumps on the highway.
On the way, billboards with the messages like those over-speeding will be prosecuted; Nilgai prone area; slow speed vehicles prohibited or asking commuters not to stop for picnics could be seen. The last point was very valid. The expressway was such that you would be tempted to park your car by the side and enjoy the beauty for some time. As we were driving, we could actually spot a family stopping and clicking pictures on the expressway.
The legal speed limit on the expressway is 100km/h. Again, with minimal traffic and excellent road, one would be tempted to speed past the 100 km/h mark. But provisions have been made to penalize violators at the next toll.
It took us about 2 hours driving on the expressway before we reached Agra. The drive was of the sort I had never experienced earlier. My left foot was down on the floor instead of being on the clutch. And the right one was on the accelerator. I knew that even if I had to brake, I’d be using only my right foot and left foot would not be needed. It was only at the three tolls that the clutch had to be used – just thrice in a 165 km journey.
On our return journey, we started from Agra at about 8 in the evening. ON touching the expressway it was again the same feeling – “wow”. This time because it was dark and we could see the glowing . It seemed as if we were on a runway – just that we were not taking off.
The Buddh International Circuit (the same where the F1 was held in India) could be seen from the expressway. And though it would be difficult to get to drive on the BIC, the Yamuna Expressway is a way to get close to experiencing Go-Karting live!
After having experienced the journey to and fro, I’d like to congratulate the Jaypee Infra team for such a marvelous piece of infrastructure. As I read on Wikipedia, the expressway was completed 2 years before its targeted completion date. (The reason could be political – perhaps the builder thought it was better to complete it under Mayawati’s regime than take the risk of a political tumult which would create roadblocks for the project). And though the toll may appear to be on the higher side, such infrastructure is what India needs to be able to come to speed with the rest of the world!
The expressway is 165 km long with a 3 lane road on each side. It has 3 tolls on way to Agra. On the first toll, you need to inform the person that you want a ‘ticket’ to Agra. The cost was about Rs.320 for one way and Rs.510 for the return journey within 24 hours. At each subsequent toll, you need to show this ticket which would be scanned by the person and you’d be allowed to go through.
On every toll there are public conveniences like toilets and restaurants which you’d not find anywhere else on the expressway. Also, it would be good to get your fuel tank completely filled much before you touch the highway as currently we could not spot a petrol pump on the highway. There had been news when a car ran out of petrol on the expressway and the “victims” had to call their acquaintances from Mathura to get petrol for them. Though there are plans to set up petrol pumps on the highway.
On the way, billboards with the messages like those over-speeding will be prosecuted; Nilgai prone area; slow speed vehicles prohibited or asking commuters not to stop for picnics could be seen. The last point was very valid. The expressway was such that you would be tempted to park your car by the side and enjoy the beauty for some time. As we were driving, we could actually spot a family stopping and clicking pictures on the expressway.
The legal speed limit on the expressway is 100km/h. Again, with minimal traffic and excellent road, one would be tempted to speed past the 100 km/h mark. But provisions have been made to penalize violators at the next toll.
It took us about 2 hours driving on the expressway before we reached Agra. The drive was of the sort I had never experienced earlier. My left foot was down on the floor instead of being on the clutch. And the right one was on the accelerator. I knew that even if I had to brake, I’d be using only my right foot and left foot would not be needed. It was only at the three tolls that the clutch had to be used – just thrice in a 165 km journey.
On our return journey, we started from Agra at about 8 in the evening. ON touching the expressway it was again the same feeling – “wow”. This time because it was dark and we could see the glowing . It seemed as if we were on a runway – just that we were not taking off.
The Buddh International Circuit (the same where the F1 was held in India) could be seen from the expressway. And though it would be difficult to get to drive on the BIC, the Yamuna Expressway is a way to get close to experiencing Go-Karting live!
After having experienced the journey to and fro, I’d like to congratulate the Jaypee Infra team for such a marvelous piece of infrastructure. As I read on Wikipedia, the expressway was completed 2 years before its targeted completion date. (The reason could be political – perhaps the builder thought it was better to complete it under Mayawati’s regime than take the risk of a political tumult which would create roadblocks for the project). And though the toll may appear to be on the higher side, such infrastructure is what India needs to be able to come to speed with the rest of the world!
