Big setback for Purvanchal commuters: Yogi Adityanath govt terminates Greater Noida–Ballia Expressway agreement due to…; Details

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has decided to officially scrap the long-delayed Greater Noida–Ballia Expressway project and end the agreement with M/s JP Ganga Infrastructure Corporation Ltd. The expressway was planned to be an 8-lane, access-controlled road connecting western and eastern UP, but even after being awarded in 2008, almost nothing happened for over 15 years.

As per the Cabinet’s decision, both the main Concession Agreement signed on March 23, 2008, and the Supplementary Agreement from November 30, 2011, between the company and UPEIDA will now be cancelled through mutual agreement. This will help both sides close the project officially and move on.

The government has also cleared the final settlement of land acquisition money. Out of the Rs. 25.95 crore deposited by the company, UPEIDA will return Rs. 3.26 crore, and the refund will be processed right away, officials said.

Even though the project received several deadline extensions and plan changes over the years, it never moved beyond the paperwork stage. The expressway was meant to be a major fast-track route across Uttar Pradesh, but construction never even began.

What happens next?

Officials said the mutual termination finally brings administrative closure to a long-stalled project. With the contract now cancelled, the state government is free to rethink and redesign new mobility and infrastructure plans for the region without being bound to an outdated agreement.

The Cabinet has also authorised the CEO of UPEIDA to complete all pending formalities and formally wind up the existing agreements.

The decision to scrap the project is seen as a pragmatic move by the state government. For years, the expressway had been stuck due to land acquisition hurdles, financial constraints, and the concessionaire’s failure to execute the work. Local residents and public representatives had repeatedly flagged the delay, especially since the expressway was expected to significantly boost connectivity, trade and travel across multiple districts.

With the contract now terminated, officials said the government can introduce new plans with updated designs and contemporary requirements. Fresh bids may be invited, or an entirely new route could be explored to better address future traffic and logistics needs.