Hopeful of achieving success after five-year-long struggle to make DND bridge toll-free, Noida residents welcomed the Supreme Court order.
The Chief Justice of the SC TS Thakur on Thursday ordered the HC that either the PIl filed by Federation of Noida Resident Welfare Association (FONRWA) on DND be disposed off within three months or case for interim stay may be considered forthwith. The order is a major relief for the commuters travelling on DND (Direct Noida to Delhi) flyway for taking a toll free ride. FONRWA has been demanding to make DND toll-free since 2012. Earlier, they had filed PIl in the High Court on November 16, 2012, requesting for revocation of the concession agreement signed between Noida Toll Birdge Co, ltd and Noida Authority, as the same had been executed “against public interest”.
FONRWA president NP Singh said in spite of 69 hearings and 12 applications filed, neither PIl was disposed off nor stay requested for by FONRWA, was granted. “Since there was delay in decision taken by the Allahabad High Court, we had filed three stay applications in the High Court praying that the NTBCl may be restrained from collecting toll until final decision on FONRWA PIl application.” Singh told The Pioneer.