New Delhi, Dec 4 (PTI) The Supreme Court today said it would hear in February a matter related to Allahabad High Court’s order which had said that no toll should be collected from commuters using the Delhi-Noida Direct (DND) flyway.
The matter came up for hearing before a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta and it was informed that a report has already been filed by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in the matter.
The apex court had in November last year asked the CAG to assist in the matter and verify the company’s claim that the total cost of the project has not been recovered.
On November 11, 2016, the apex court had said the flyway would remain toll free for commuters, while disagreeing with the contention of Noida Toll Bridge Company Ltd (NTBCL) that its refusal to stay the high court verdict would cause irreparable loss to the firm.
The high court had on October 26 last year said no toll would be collected henceforth from those using the 9.2 km- long, eight-lane flyway.
The order was passed as the high court had allowed a PIL by the Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Association that had challenged the “levy and collection of toll in the name of user fee” by NTBCL.
The firm has challenged the high court verdict in the top court, saying it did not take into account all aspects and factors like interest on construction cost, depreciation and maintenance expenses, which come to around Rs 12.5 lakh per day, have not been duly considered.
