Delhi-Noida Direct Flyway Stays Toll-Free as Supreme Court Rejects Company Plea

DND Flyway to Remain Toll-Free: Supreme Court Dismisses Toll Company's Plea

New Delhi, May 13, 2023: In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that the Delhi-Noida-Direct (DND) flyway will remain toll-free. The Apex Court upheld the 2016 verdict of the Allahabad High Court, which had directed the bridge company not to collect toll charges.

The ruling came after the Delhi Noida Direct Tollway Bridge Construction Limited (NTBCL), the company responsible for operating the flyway, filed a special leave petition (SLP) challenging the Allahabad High Court's decision. NTBCL argued that it had been granted the contract through a transparent and competitive bidding process and had invested heavily in the construction and maintenance of the flyway.

However, the Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Uday Umesh Lalit, S. Ravindra Bhat, and P.S. Narasimha, rejected NTBCL's plea and upheld the High Court's verdict. The Court observed that the contract for the construction and operation of the DND flyway was awarded to NTBCL without issuing a public tender.

"The decision to award the contract to NTBCL without a public tender was completely arbitrary and wrong. The State Government had no authority to enter into the contract with NTBCL in the absence of a public tender," the Supreme Court order stated.

The Court also noted that NTBCL had failed to submit any evidence to support its claim that the public tender process would have resulted in higher tolls.

"NTBCL has not placed on record any material to show that if a public tender had been invited, the tolls would have been higher. On the contrary, the record shows that NTBCL has been collecting exorbitant tolls from the public," the order stated.

The Supreme Court's decision is a major relief for commuters who use the DND flyway, which connects Delhi to Noida and Greater Noida. The flyway has been a convenient and time-saving route for lakhs of people, and the removal of toll charges will significantly reduce their transportation costs.

Additionally, the ruling is seen as a victory for transparency and accountability in government contracting. It sends a clear message that public infrastructure projects must be awarded through fair and transparent processes to ensure that the interests of the public are protected.

Short Description

📣 Great news! 🎉 The Supreme Court has ruled that the DND flyway will remain toll-free. ⚖️ This means no more paying tolls to cross the bridge! 🚗🚫💰 The Court upheld a previous verdict that the bridge company was given the contract without a public tender, a decision that was "completely arbitrary and wrong." 🙌
#DNDFlywayTollFree #SupremeCourtVerdict #AllahabadHighCourt #NTBCL #TollsAbolished