Work on widening of NH-24 to 14 lanes between Delhi and Ghaziabad is set to start immediately after the National Green Tribunal green-signalled on Friday construction of two new bridges on Yamuna and two flyovers on each side of the existing one near the Games Village. But the green tribunal's go-ahead came with certain conditions, which NHAI has to comply with, including strict monitoring of the Yamuna floodplains during construction of the bridges. The Delhi government has already started the process of rehabilitating slum-dwellers, staying close to the existing highway.

"After a lot of efforts, we have got the approval of NGT. Work will start quickly on Nizamuddin-UP Gate and Dasna to Hapur stretches," outgoing NHAI chairman Raghav Chandra said. The NGT acknowledged that in this case, NHAI is only expanding the existing highway to decongest the stretch and there was no other option.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked NHAI to complete the widening work by December, 2018.

The project has been divided into three packages. The middle portion (UP Gate to Dasna) will be awarded once the Delhi High Court decides on a petition filed by a developer, which was disqualified during the bidding process.

The existing 8-lane road in Delhi will be barricaded as access-controlled highway and four lanes on each side will be laid as service roads. While the stretch between Ring Road and Dasna will have 14 lanes, Dasna-Hapur section will be widened to six lanes.

People using the access-controlled highway will have to pay toll and there will be limited entry and exit points. For example, one can enter near the Games Village and Ghazipur in the Delhi portion. The first exit will be near Mayur Vihar Phase-II.

Sources said though the original plan does not provide for any exit on the stretch passing through dense Indirapuram and Noida stretches, NHAI is likely to revise this. "Many of those residing or working in this region will prefer paying toll to reach early. So, we may have to provide entry and exit options," said an NHAI official.

But to ensure that people using the service road and going straight don't get caught in traffic jam, two-lane flyovers will be built on each carriageway at every traffic junction. These commuters won't have to pay toll.