Noida is poised for a major urban mobility and public space upgrade, with infrastructure plans set to enhance regional connectivity and reimagine the city’s commercial heart.
A new cloverleaf interchange, expressway link, and a “Times Square”-style entertainment zone in Sector 18 form the core of a multi-pronged push towards modernising the city’s transit and public life systems. Officials confirmed that these projects have been cleared in principle and are part of a broader strategy to manage growth while positioning Noida as a destination for business, tourism and investment. The proposed cloverleaf, modelled on the interchange near AIIMS in Delhi, will be located close to the Mahamaya Flyover. This critical piece of infrastructure is planned to seamlessly connect the under-construction Chilla Elevated Road with a new expressway that will run alongside the Yamuna Pushta Road, eventually merging with the Yamuna Expressway. The expressway aims to offer a vital alternative to the congested Noida Expressway, serving traffic moving towards the Noida International Airport and major cities such as Agra and Lucknow.
The Chilla Elevated Road itself is a 5.9-kilometre, six-lane corridor being constructed at an estimated cost of ₹892 crore. Once completed, it is expected to significantly ease vehicular flow at Noida’s entry points by offering a direct route from Mayur Vihar to the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, bypassing choke points. A separate but integrated road project has also been proposed to originate from Sector 94. This new corridor will consist of a six-lane elevated structure with an eight-lane ground-level road, further enhancing airport connectivity and regional transit links. Officials revealed that coordination with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is ongoing to determine if the proposed expressway can be declared a national highway. In case NHAI does not undertake the project, local development bodies — namely the Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway authorities — are prepared to jointly finance and manage it through a special purpose vehicle (SPV). This approach was endorsed by senior officials during a recent board meeting, where a detailed presentation on the road’s design, alignment and necessity was discussed. The urgency for the expressway has increased amid a visible surge in residential and commercial activity and the forthcoming opening of the Noida International Airport.
Two routing options are under consideration: an eight-lane ground-level road or a six-lane elevated expressway hugging the Yamuna embankment. Both aim to decongest the existing 25-kilometre Noida Expressway, which is increasingly under pressure from growing commuter volumes. Beyond mobility, the Noida Authority is also placing emphasis on placemaking and urban aesthetics. Inspired by New York’s Times Square, a dynamic public space is set to be developed in Sector 18, transforming the popular commercial area into a pedestrian-first cultural hotspot. Officials said that foundation work would begin within the next 10 days, with project completion targeted within a year. The ₹10 crore public plaza will span over 6,500 square feet and feature large-format LED screens for live match screenings, performances and film shows. A chroma wall, video wall, children’s play area, and extensive seating are also planned to turn the location into a vibrant leisure and entertainment space. The initiative is seen as a major step towards human-centric urban development in Noida, where infrastructure has historically been automobile-focused.
Sector 18, already known informally as the city’s ‘Mini Connaught Place’, is one of the busiest retail hubs in the region. It draws thousands of visitors each day to its numerous malls, restaurants, banks and offices. With its new design as a car-free, LED-lit public square, the project is expected to boost local commerce, encourage walking and social activity, and provide a model for sustainable urban regeneration. Urban development experts believe that the coordinated focus on connectivity and public space revitalisation reflects a shift in city planning that aligns with broader sustainable development goals. While road infrastructure projects enhance logistics and regional mobility, pedestrianised, accessible public places signal an intention to create more equitable and liveable cities.
By integrating future-facing transport planning with placemaking, Noida appears to be setting a template for second-tier Indian cities aspiring to transform into global urban centres.
