Court to decide on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway today

NHAI had asked the operator to reduce the number of minimum trips from 60 to 40 per month for local commuters if they wanted to avail the 50% concession

The fate of the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway contract might get decided today as the Delhi High Court would be hearing the dispute between
Delhi-Gurgaon Super Connectivity Limited (DGSCL) and the National Highway Authority of India.

The NHAI had sent a termination notice to the company in February this year for violating the terms of agreement. This was challenged by the concessionaire in the high court which stayed the termination order and directed both the parties to resolve the dispute amicably. Though, later on, when an out of court settlement was being discussed by NHAI, the company did not agree on the proposed plan.

As part of the settlement plan, NHAI had asked the operator to reduce the number of minimum trips from 60 to 40 per month for local commuters if they wanted to avail the 50 per cent concession. Also, local residents should be given the electronic tag, which costs Rs 1,500, for free.

Moreover, the 15 day deadline to resolve the traffic and toll collection issues at the Delhi Gurgaon Expressway is also approaching its deadline as the next hearing in the Punjab-Haryana High Court is scheduled for September 20.  The operator and NHAI have not yet arrived at a consensus on what measures need to be taken, according to company officials.

The High Court had earlier this month restrained the operator from collecting toll on the expressway’s Delhi-Gurgaon border toll plaza on
the grounds that the concessionaire had failed to avoid chaos and ensure free flow of traffic on the highway.

The court also directed the NHAI to hold meeting with the state government and DGSCL management to discuss the issue.

The company had in a statement said that it is facing a daily loss of Rs 55 lakh to Rs 60 lakh.

However, the company is presently focused on the Delhi High Court hearing as “saving the project” has become a priority.