Lucknow, June 13: Notwithstanding tall claims of the state government on the law and order situation across the state, the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) in Uttar Pradesh's Bagpat has fallen a prey to theft these days, despite patrolling squads in action. According to news reports, incidences of thefts have been being reported from the Expressway, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 27.

Complains of thefts of solar panels, batteries, iron and under-lights among other things have surfaced in news reports in the past few weeks. According to sources, the value of stolen goods is estimated to be millions of rupees. However, the officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are taking a serious note of this issue.

According to a report by Amar Ujala, major theft has taken place between Uttar Pradesh's Dasna and Kundali area. For the unversed, the Prime Minister had inaugurated the Eastern Peripheral Expressway in Uttar Pradesh's Bagpat on May 27. Its foundation stone was laid by PM Modi in November 2015.

The Rs.11,000-crore Eastern Peripheral Expressway is India's first smart and green highway. It must be noted that the 135-km Eastern Peripheral Expressway envisages signal-free connectivity between Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Faridabad and Palwal. The expressway has been built in a record 17 month time. The inauguration of the Eastern Peripheral Expressway took place after the Supreme Court set a May 31 deadline.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had said that the Expressway has been completed in 510 days and cycle track was being made on both sides of the road. Gadkari claimed that by next March, the Eastern Peripheral Expressway would be completed, and commuters would be able to travel to Delhi from Meerut only in 40 minutes. The Minister further informed that the Supreme Court was monitoring the project.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 13, 2018 07:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).