DND authorities forced to give free passage

Thousands of commuters plying between Noida and Delhi enjoyed free rides on DND flyway on Sunday as scores of people connected with different social organisations of Noida gathered at DND flyway forcing it to lift toll gates and allow passage of vehicles without paying toll. 

Also, people under the banner of Noida Vikas Manch (NVM) called a maha-panchyat at flyway with demanding to stop collections of tolls. With seven hours long protest, the participants holding tri-colors in their hands, shouted slogans against DND authorities, Noida Authority and Uttar Pradesh Government for exploiting commuters. At the end, the protesters tried to block the DND flyway but police arrested them using force.

Addressing the people, Noida Vikas Manch president, Joginder Singh Awana, said, "The DND flyway was constructed at the cost of `425 Crore in 2001 which has been recovered by Noida toll bridge company (NTBC) that operates it. As per the "Concession Agreement" the company should transfer the project assets to Noida Authority and it should be free for commuters, something that we have been demanding since last few years."

"We wanted to meet the director of DND flyway for our demands but he was not available. We have made a demand that at least DND management should make it free for the residents of district Gautam Buddh Nagar."