Mandola village, Ghaziabad, may finally reach closure as the Allahabad High Court is set to pronounce its verdict on 29 April 2025.
The decision could unlock two vital stretches of the nearly completed Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, a flagship infrastructure project expected to transform interstate mobility between the National Capital Region and Uttarakhand. Currently 98% complete, the expressway has been awaiting resolution of a decades-old dispute that originated in 1998. The issue centres on 1,600 square metres of land acquired by the Uttar Pradesh Housing Board under its Mandola Housing Scheme. While most affected families accepted compensation, the Saroha family—represented today by Lakshyaveer Saroha—refused the settlement, challenging the legality of the acquisition.
Following years of legal proceedings, including an escalation to the Supreme Court in 2024, the matter now rests with the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court. If the court rules in favour of the government, it could clear the final bottleneck delaying the operationalisation of the 14.7-km Akshardham to UP border segment and the 16-km Loni to Khekra stretch. These sections are pivotal for reducing current travel time between Delhi and Dehradun by several hours and enhancing regional economic connectivity. The project, which is under direct monitoring by the Prime Minister’s Office and the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, is part of India’s broader push to develop low-emission, high-efficiency transport corridors. With a focus on reducing fuel consumption, improving logistics, and decongesting urban roadways, the expressway stands as a model for sustainable national infrastructure.
However, the unresolved land acquisition continues to stoke tensions. Farmers from Mandola staged protests as recently as 25 April, demanding revised compensation for the land acquired nearly three decades ago. Protestors locked the gates of the UP Housing Board office in Ghaziabad, alleging bureaucratic indifference to their longstanding grievances. Government officials, on the other hand, maintain that the acquisition was carried out in compliance with prevailing laws and processes. In a hearing held on 16 April, the High Court instructed both the NHAI and the Housing Board to submit counter affidavits within three days, underscoring the urgency of the matter. The court also acknowledged the expressway’s national significance and the public interest in expediting its opening.
Should the verdict favour the NHAI, the partially completed expressway could be opened to the public within weeks, offering not just faster travel but also a benchmark in inclusive and eco-sensitive infrastructure planning. If it swings the other way, it may trigger further delays and reinvigorate the ongoing protests. Either way, 29 April could mark a turning point—not just for a stretch of road, but for the broader discourse on equitable development and sustainable urban expansion in India.
Also Read: https://urbanacres.in/delhi-mumbai-expressway-cuts-travel-time/
