Noida: NTPC underpass to be opened on October 10

NOIDA: The NTPC underpass, which will finally be thrown open on October 10 (as reported earlier by TOI), is likely to bring some much needed colour to the drab surroundings. The Noida Authority in association with the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), is getting murals painted at the underpass. The theme for the artwork is “Under the eternal Indian Banyan Tree”.

Located at the intersection of sectors 24, 25A, 32 and 33A, work on the 640-metre project had been completed some time ago, but was awaiting inauguration following ministerial confirmation and auspicious days.

Apart from the underpass, the 25 acre Herbal and Medicinal Park in sector 91 will also be inaugurated on October 10, by industries minister Satish Mahana, MP Mahesh Sharma and MLA Pankaj Singh say Authority officials.

“The NTPC underpass at sector 33 and the Herbal and Medicinal Park in sector 91 will be opened for public on October 10 through an inauguration ceremony by industries minister Satish Mahana, MP Mahesh Sharma and MLA Pankaj Singh in the presence of authority CEO Alok Tandon and other officials,” said Rajeev Tyagi, general manager (in charge of work circles 1 to 5) Noida Authority.

Once opened, the underpass will be the first such public space in Noida to showcase rare Kalpavriksha paintings by artist duo Laxman Singh and Kunal Jain where their artworks celebrate life and also highlight the message of living in harmony with nature - an integral part of Indian culture.

“This project highlights the museum’s objective of making the arts more inclusive, allowing the public to engage with our country’s artists on a daily basis and to take art outside of the museum space and bring it to the people,” said Kiran Nadar, founder and chairperson, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art.

Built at a cost of Rs 55 crores, work on the underpass project began on June 30, 2015. It was scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016. But as per officials, the shifting of utilities such as electricity and water pipelines, led to the current delay. “With its opening the commuters will benefit ease of congestion on the stretch that connects Sector 21 (Noida Stadium) and Sector 22 with Dadri-Surajpur-Chhalera (DSC) road as the stretch will now be signal free,” said CEO Alok Tandon.

Meanwhile the medicinal and herbal park, built at a cost of Rs 23.94 crore will also include civic amenities such as a meditation centre, walkways, gazebo huts, an amphitheatre, food court along with parking facility outside the park. “Many medicinal plants and fruit trees have been planted in the park. These include Indian gooseberry (amla), turmeric, soap nut (ritha), tamarind, lemon grass, sandal, cinnamon, neem, liquorice (mulethi), wild olive along with trees such chiku, papaya, mango, guava, pomegranate etc.,” said Tyagi.