Allahabad High Court scraps toll on Delhi’s DND flyway
NOIDA : In a significant development, the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday declared the privately-funded DND Flyway connecting Noida and Delhi as toll free, according to ANI report.
The court pronounced its order on a public interest litigation (PIL) that was filed by the Federation of Noida Resident Welfare Association (FONRWA). The PIL, filed four years ago, sought to remove toll collection on the Flyway.
Reacting to the court’s order, NP Singh, president of FONRWA, said, “This is a victory of the people. The toll shouldn’t have been collected.”He said the federation had filed the PIL in 2012.”We may even file a caveat with the Supreme Court tomorrow,” Singh said anticipating that the Noida Toll Bridge Company (NTBCL) may move the apex court.
The NTBCL has been promoted by Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to develop construct, operate and maintain the DND Flyway on a “Build Own Operate Transfer” (BOOT) basis till 2031. The company said it will issue a reaction after looking at the judgement.
The DND Flyway is the shortest route between Noida and Delhi, the other routes being via the Nizamuddin Bridge and Okhla Barrage.The eight-lane expressway is 9.2 km-long. The project was commissioned on February 7, 2001.
The DND Flyway – which is one of the better-run toll plazas – connects Delhi on the west bank of the Yamuna with Noida and East Delhi.
It has witnessed several protests and demonstrations seeking scrapping of the Rs. 28 toll following allegations that the operator of the 9.2-km-long stretch (including the Mayur Vihar link) has already made significant profits.
Recently, its Director Monisha Macedo said that the contract for operating it can even be extended for two more years beyond the stipulated 2031 if it has not earned profits till then.
