NOIDA, May 5 -- The Noida authority has set aside Rs.8 crore to upgrade safety features along the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway to enhance the safety of thousands of daily commuters, officials said on Sunday. A tender for the project has already been issued, and interested firms can apply by May 15, they added. The safety overhaul will begin near Sector 14A and cover the entire expressway stretch under Noida's jurisdiction. It will include new signage, solar-powered road markers, thermoplastic paint for road markings, speed limit signs, rumble strips, and exit point markers. "The Noida-Greater Noida Expressway is a key road that connects Delhi with Greater Noida and leads to the Yamuna Expressway. Thousands of commuters use this daily. It will be a key link to the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar. That makes it even more important to improve its safety features quickly," said Vijay Rawal, general manager, Noida authority. The expressway spans 24km - with 20km under Noida authority and the remaining 4km under Greater Noida authority, officials said. Over the years, several accidents have occurred due to poor lighting, missing signs, and unclear entry and exit points. The urgency for a safety revamp increased after an August 14, 2024, accident in which three students died when their car hit a pole and then a crash barrier. A recent survey by the authority revealed that many essential safety features - including lane markings, reflectors, and direction boards - were either missing or damaged. Bollards (short posts that guide traffic) were also absent at several spots. Earlier, the authority roped in experts from the Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies (RCUES) to study road conditions. They found that several stretches lacked proper markings, signboards, or reflectors, making it difficult for drivers to safely change lanes or locate sector entry points. The study also found the absence of kilometre markers, complicating navigation, especially for first-time users. Now, the authority plans to implement safety upgrades in line with Indian Road Congress (IRC) standards, which govern highway safety. Officials said these improvements will enhance both road safety and traffic management. The expressway also has 13-foot overbridges and about 19-20 public toilets and urinals, most of which lack proper signage, officials added....