Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPS) that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 27 has suffered damages and theft of the solar panels, batteries, lights from different locations of Ghaziabad region.
The work on expressway is still underway and the toll tax barriers are not yet operational, which made the job of the thieves easy. Miscreants have also damaged canopy of a miniature India Gate put up on the expressway.
Manager of Ghaziabad region of expressway JS Chauhan confirmed that solar panels and batteries from at least 8 to 10 locations and some lights from underpasses have been stolen. He also confirmed damage to the India Gate miniature canopy.
The expressway was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi 18 days ago at Baghpat in the presence of UP CM Yogi Adityanath and Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Dr Mahesh Chandra Sharma.
The expressway connects Kondli in Haryana to Sonepat via Noida, Ghaziabad and Baghpat. It became talk of the country for its beautification and 100% solar electrification. Also, it is aimed at decreasing the vehicular pollution in Delhi and NCR as there will 40% cut in heavy vehicles in Delhi.
Not only this, Chauhan said that in the past 1 year during construction of the expressway, miscreants have stolen over 100-tonne steel and fencing wire from different locations. And most of these incidents had occurred in 45 km stretch of Expressway passing through Ghaziabad, Bagpat and Sonepat.
“A cutting machine was stolen at gunpoint at Mavikala of Bagpat district 7 months ago. It was difficult for contract companies to complete the work in record time under such circumstances,” he said.
He said the thefts were reported to the police and NHAI authorities. Some stolen material was also recovered from Duhai and from a canal of Badagaon in Bagpat, he said.
When contacted Bhagpat SP Jaiprakash said he didn’t receive any complaint regarding the theft. “Necessary steps would be taken for security and safety of commuters,” said the SP
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