Supreme Court Rules DND Flyway Toll-Free After Dismissing Appeal
The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal against the Allahabad High Court’s decision to make the DND Flyway toll-free. The judgment, delivered by a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant, pertains to the controversial toll collection on the 9.2 km stretch connecting Delhi to Noida, which has been a point of contention for years.
The dispute dates back to 2016 when the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audited the financial accounts of the Noida Toll Bridge Company Ltd (NTBCL), which operates the DND Flyway. The audit aimed to assess whether the company had recovered its investment and earned a reasonable profit. The findings of the audit triggered a broader discussion about the toll collection system and the high fees imposed on commuters. The toll, which had been collected by NTBCL since the flyway’s inauguration in 2001, became controversial as residents of Noida and Delhi complained about poor road conditions, including potholes and dysfunctional streetlights, despite paying the toll. In response to these concerns, the Federation of Noida Resident Welfare Associations (FONRWA) filed a petition in 2016, arguing that the toll charges were excessive given the state of the road infrastructure.
The Allahabad High Court had ruled in favor of making the DND Flyway toll-free, prompting NTBCL to challenge the decision. However, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s order, dismissing NTBCL’s appeal and emphasizing the need for a fair and transparent toll system. The court also called for an audit of the project’s costs and questioned the excessive user fees charged by the private operator. Despite ceasing toll collection, NTBCL continues to maintain the flyway, citing its obligations under the original concession agreement. While the Noida Authority and Delhi government are expected to oversee repairs, issues like potholes and broken streetlights remain, leading to continued dissatisfaction among commuters. The Supreme Court’s ruling is expected to provide relief to the residents who had long been burdened by toll charges and poor road conditions. However, the future of road maintenance and management in this critical stretch of the Noida-Delhi route remains a key concern for authorities.
