Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday reaffirmed that the Delhi-Noida Direct (DND) flyway will remain toll-free, dismissing an appeal by the toll-operating company, Noida Toll Bridge Company Limited (NTBCL). The ruling upholds a 2016 Allahabad High Court verdict that barred the collection of toll charges on the eight-lane bridge.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan declared NTBCL’s appeal meritless, emphasizing that the company had already recovered the costs of constructing the flyway along with interest and returns. The court noted that continuing to collect toll charges would be unjustified.
“The company has sufficiently recovered its investment, interest, and expenses related to the construction of the DND flyway. Hence, no further toll collection is warranted,” the bench stated in its judgment.
The Supreme Court also backed the High Court’s finding that NTBCL was awarded the contract arbitrarily without a public tender. The bench termed this approach “completely arbitrary and wrong,” aligning with the Allahabad High Court’s earlier criticism of the process.
The DND flyway, an essential route connecting Delhi and Noida, has been toll-free since the 2016 High Court order. The verdict was widely welcomed at the time, easing financial burdens on commuters who rely on the bridge daily.
This decision by the Supreme Court solidifies the toll-free status of the DND flyway, offering a significant reprieve to lakhs of commuters while bringing closure to a years-long legal battle over toll collection.
