The Delhi Noida Direct (DND) flyway will continue to remain toll-free, per the latest ruling of Supreme Court. Delhi-Noida commuters can heave a sigh of relief for now. The honorable Supreme Court on Friday the 13th July 2018 ruled out levying of any toll on the flyway.
The DND (Delhi-Noida-Direct) Flyway is an eight-lane and 9.2 kms long stretch that connects Delhi and Noida. It connects Delhi on the west bank of the Yamuna with Noida and east Delhi. Noida Toll Bridge Company Ltd (NTBCL) was commissioned the project to build, operate and maintain the DND Flyway. The company maintains that it has not recovered the construction cost of the flyway yet, and therefore, has the right to collect toll as per the original agreement.
Noida Toll Bridge Company Limited (NTBCL) had filed a plea against an Allahabad High Court order. Allahabad High Court in a hearing to the PIL (Public Interest Litigation) filed by FONRWA (Federeation of Resident Welfare Associations) had ruled (October 26, 2016) that no toll would be collected on the flyway. NTBCL approached the apex court for a stay on the Allahabad High Court order declaring the flyway toll-free. However, Supreme Court refused the stay in August 2017. The latest apex court ruling ordains no toll collection on the DND Flyway putting back a smile on faces of this route’s regular commuters.
Meanwhile, the Income Tax (I-T) department has also filed a plea against the company for not paying tax. The apex court has asked the company to file a reply on I-T department’s plea. The SC will next hear the plea on August 21.