According to a 2003 agreement between the Authority and the Yamuna Expressway concessionaire, the developer is to collect toll on the expressway. “According to the MoU, at the time of commissioning of the Yamuna Expressway, Noida-Greater Noida Expressway was also to be handed over to the Jaypee Group,” said P C Gupta, CEO, YEIDA. “With the commissioning of Yamuna Expressway, users of this highway were to pay toll tax as well as for the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway”, he said.
Gupta said the Yamuna Expressway concessionaire was to maintain and strengthen the road for 36 years while the capital cost of constructing the road was to be returned to the Authority. “However, after the authorities decided not to collect toll, the concessionaire refused to pay to the Authority,” the CEO said.
According to officials, the UP auditors recently asked for a clarification on the issue. “The matter was taken up in a meeting on September 15,” said Gupta. “No toll will be levied on the e-way as there are no alternative routes between the two cities along the stretch,” he said.
“I live in Sector 93A and travel at least twice to Noida, Delhi and back,” said V K Puri. “How many times will I pay toll if it is imposed?” he asked.
Farmers from villages along the e-way have decided to gherao the YEIDA office over the issue on Friday.
