Yamuna Expressway project has opened plethora of opportunities for the state

"Yamuna Expressway project is a classic example of how a huge tract of land can be utilised to develop industries of so many types, facilities of all kinds and much more. Its proximity to the national capital and the strategic location can provide maximum impetus to the process of industrialisation," says Rama Raman, CEO, Yamuna Expressway Authority, in an interview with Rai Umraopati Ray.

Yamuna Expressway Project by Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) is being pegged as a world-class project. What are the various benefits projects of such magnitude bring to the economy?
The Yamuna Expressway Project was conceived with the idea to not only reduce the travel time between New Delhi and Agra but also to open up avenue for industrial and urban development of the region and provide the base for convergence to tourism and other allied industries. The Expressway cuts in half the travel time from New Delhi to Agra, the city that is home to India’s top tourist attraction, the Taj Mahal. The Expressway corridor is bound to have huge impact on the economic and industrial growth not only of Uttar Pradesh but also adjoining states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana in the coming years.

The 165 km long Yamuna Expressway has been developed by the Jaypee Group under public-private partnership (PPP). It was completed in record time. It is India’s longest six-laned controlled-access expressway stretch. There is a detailed plan to develop industrial, residential, commercial and entertainment facilities on both sides of the Expressway.

It would also provide the base for convergence to tourism and other allied industries. Our vision is to develop this whole region into one of the preferred zones for industrial, institutional, sports, residential, recreational and service sectors. Projects like Yamuna Expressway are not only important but also necessary for developing countries like India. This gives impetus to the whole economic activity of the region. It has opened a new plethora of opportunities for the state as well as the region. The project has become the flag bearer among infrastructure projects.

The expressway project has opened up new avenues of development for the area through which it is passing. Developing sustainable growth pockets is an integral part of the process of urbanisation.

What are the major challenges and hurdles to execute projects like these?
Being a large scale project, one of the foremost requirements was clear vision and objectives of the project. The Yamuna Expressway passes through virgin land by the side of river Yamuna which is comparatively thinly populated, thereby no problem of rehabilitation. Hence there is least disturbance to the local population. The project road connects two important destinations of national and international importance and high potential to generate traffic and economic development – the national capital Delhi and tourist centre Agra. Since the expressway is open to public, the developments along is going at a fast pace. Matters of land acquisitions and other policy issues are being dealt with rationality and keeping the long-term objectives.

A number of other factors play their roles including a strong will on the part of the government to make a project of this scale successful.

Regarding land acquisition issue, Yamuna Expressway too is facing hurdles. A set of critics believe that farmers are being victimised. What are your comments on this?
First, let me clear few doubts regarding land acquisition issue. There is no doubt when there is a project of this size, there will be land acquisition issues as not all land owners or farmers will agree to give up their land. But, our policy was very transparent, farmer-friendly, keeping in consideration of their requirements and needs. We paid handsome compensation to farmers much more than the prevailing market rates. In addition, farmers will get back 5 to 7 per cent of their land holdings as developed plots. There were no issues, whatsoever at the time of acquisition. It started later as it got politicised. Farmers were made to believe that their lands were being sold to private builders at huge profits, which is a misconception. The Authority develops the land, which requires a lot of money before inviting private players, hence the increased costs. There were unnecessary delays in allotting developed plots to farmers, which increased resentment. We have ensured that all such hurdles are removed. The purpose of the land acquisition is to have a planned development for industrial and infrastructure purposes and farmers need not be apprehensive about their land. On the contrary, such development will add value to their land.

We want more and more industries to be set up so that the local population is most benefitted. We have humane view for those whose lands have been acquired.

Regarding compensation, the honourable court is hearing the matter and the decision will be accepted by all of us.

While industrialisation is essential for faster growth, we cannot overlook the importance of agricultural land. Don’t you think projects like this compromise on such issues?
We have to see things in perspective and holistically. India is a fast developing country and this is an accepted fact that agriculture alone cannot drive this growth. Industrialisation is critical to our development plans. We have to evaluate the returns and find a fine balance between industrialisation and agriculture. Yamuna Expressway project is a classic example of how a huge tract of land can be utilised to develop industries of so many types, facilities of all kinds and much more. Its proximity to the national capital and the strategic location can provide maximum impetus to the process of industrialisation. No doubt, agriculture lands have been used but please see the manifold benefits the project would bring to the region, state and the country. Once fully developed, it is going to be the hub of industrial, institutional, sports, residential, recreational and service sectors.