SC refuses to stay Allahabad HC's order on DND flyway

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the Allahabad High Court's order on making the DND (Delhi-Noida-Direct) flyway toll-free.

The apex court requested CAG to file report within four weeks on money invested and spent in the construction of the DND flyway.

A three judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Jagdish Singh Kehar, refused to stay the Allahabad High Court order

"The Supreme Court has ordered a CAG inquiry. An audit has been ordered into the matter and has asked to file report within four weeks. It is very big relief for the commuters," said advocate Ankur Prakash.

The Supreme Court last month also had refused to stay the Allahabad High Court order restraining Noida Toll Bridge Company Limited from levying the cess.

The Allahabad High Court last month ruled that there will be no toll collected from those using the DND flyway.

The order was passed as the high court allowed a PIL by the Federation of Noida Residents' Welfare Association.

The PIL, which was filed in 2012, had challenged the "levy and collection of toll in the name of user fee by Noida Toll Bridge Company".

In an over 100-page judgment, the high court had held, "the user fee which is being levied/realised is not supported by the legal provisions relied upon by the Concessionaire (Noida Toll Bridge Company), Infrastructure Leaning and Financial Services (promoter and developer of the project) and the Noida Authority.