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Delhi

Free ride: Clamour grows on lifting DND toll gates

The agencies have joined hands, seeking lifting of  toll charges at the Delhi-Noida-Delhi (DND) Flyway. 

To ensure a free ride, social organisations and residents have been agitating for that past three-four years. But this time, they have threatened to intensify their stir.

Senior members of these groups said they were all set to take stern steps to check toll collection and monopoly of the toll authority. “We have placed our demands before the authorities concerned and will watch their move in the scheduled meeting next week. If our demands are not met, we will forcibly lift toll gates on the flyway and ensure a free ride to commuters,” said Nawab Singh Nagar, president of Janhit Morcha.

He added that the authorities had assured to look into their demands but nothing has been as of now. The authorities have been buying time just to protect toll authority, which is unacceptable, he said.

Nagar said the groups would carry out a march between Noida and Greater Noida on Saturday. He added that they would later approach UP Chief Minister too. “We will first hold a rally and then approach top authorities in the state. If our demands are not met, we will start an indefinite protest from August 28. It is unfair that the people have to pay toll charges for using roads, while it is the governments’ responsibility to construct roads for citizens. We have urged people to participate in large numbers, so we can build pressure on the authorities concerned. 

Many Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) in Noida and Greater Noida are likely to join the protest. 

Earlier, activists belonging to various organisations and political parties have staged protests and lifted toll gates at the flyway for hours. The matter has even been taken before the Allahabad high court. 

A senior administrative official said the district administration was taking the matter seriously and was making efforts to ensure that there is no ruckus on the carriageway. “In view of the protest call, we are planning to convene separate meetings with all concerned bodies, before a common meeting is announced in the near future,” said an official of the NTBCL, the concessionaire firm.

As per the agreement between NTBCL and the Noida Authority, it is estimated that NTBCL will recover Rs 53,000 crore by 2031. 
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