Noida — After years of frustration for commuters and local businesses, the Noida Authority has initiated a comprehensive revamp of the 5.5-kilometre stretch beneath the Bhangel Elevated Corridor, a crucial section of the Dadri-Surajpur-Chhalera (DSC) Road that connects major residential, commercial and peri-urban markets.
The project, costing an estimated ₹35 crore, aims to resurface, rebuild and decongest the road that has languished under debris, potholes and stalled construction, a situation that long hindered efficient mobility and economic activity. The Bhangel Elevated Road — a six-lane, 5.5 km flyover designed to ease traffic between Noida and Greater Noida — was completed last year but its underpass road remained neglected for nearly five years amid disputes between the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation Ltd (UPSBCL) and the Noida Authority over unpaid dues. This impasse left the surface road severely damaged, prompting ambulances, school buses and goods vehicles to divert onto internal sector roads with poor conditions.
Work on the neglected stretch of the Dadri Road finally began after negotiations resolved the contract dispute, and UPSBCL agreed to honour the restoration as part of its original commitments. The revamp will include road resurfacing, improved drainage and reconstruction of the central verge, with an expected completion target of June 2026. For residents and micro-enterprises in Bhangel and Salarpur markets, this development brings optimism. Traders lamented that prolonged disrepair eroded footfall and raised logistics costs, as trucks and two-wheelers navigated treacherous surfaces. With restoration, local stakeholders anticipate smoother freight movement, improved access for customers and a more predictable commercial environment.
Mobility analysts underscore that addressing surface road conditions beneath elevated corridors is integral to comprehensive urban transport planning. While flyovers can divert through-traffic and reduce congestion on primary arterials, the service roads below must remain functional — particularly in high-activity corridors — so that local transport, pedestrian access and first/last-mile connectivity are not compromised. The Dadri Road segment forms a critical link between multiple sectors and villages, and its poor state had contributed to increased travel times, uneven freight deliveries and heightened airborne dust pollution due to exposed earth and debris. Residents had previously funded band-aid repairs to maintain basic access, highlighting the infrastructure gap that this revamp seeks to close.
Urban planners also note that such dual-layer infrastructure — flyovers above and service roads below — must be integrated into citywide mobility frameworks that prioritise safety, environmental quality, and inclusive access. Alongside resurfacing, improvements such as pedestrian paths, proper lighting and drainage can enhance the quality of urban life for non-motorised road users and micro-entrepreneurs alike. The Bhangel Elevated Corridor itself, which has been long anticipated to ease traffic snarls for commuters between Noida, Surajpur and Greater Noida, has been operational on trial and is expected to deliver travel time savings on major commutes. However, its wider impact depends on functional roads beneath it — a gap this revamp seeks to bridge.
As Noida prepares to complete this restoration by mid-2026, the project serves as a reminder that high-profile infrastructure must be accompanied by robust surface-level continuity, maintenance and planning to ensure equitable access, safety and sustained economic activity across urban regions.
