The operators at DND expressway have asked the government to increase the toll rates by 20 per cent, which is likely to come in effect from September 15, 2012. According to proposal, the car drivers may have to shell out Rs. 3 extra on the earlier charge of Rs. 22, whereas the bike riders are expected to now pay Rs.14 instead of Rs. 11.
The reason cited by the Chairman of Noida Toll Bridge Company Limited (NTBCL) behind increase in toll rates is in the light of provisions made in the agreement of concession. On the whole matter, a senior official said, “Concessionaire has not had the right to increase the toll since April 2009 other than a partial 10 per cent increase in November 2011. The toll rates remained stagnant leading to a loss of around Rs. 28 crore between 2009-2010 and 2011-2012, which is mounting on daily basis.”
However, it is believed that the regulating authority will not entertain the demands of concessionaire. Expressing his views on the proposal of operators, the Chief Executive Officer of Noida authority, Sanjeev Saran said, “We have received a couple of letters on toll revision from the concessionaire. The authority will oppose the proposal in public interest. In their last letter, they have sought our permission to hike the toll by September 15.”
On the other hand, according to the agreement of concession signed by the UP government and NTBCL in 1997, the regulating authority cannot completely disregard the decision of the latter. On this, an authority official said, “The concessionaire is free to hike the fee once a year as the Noida authority and residents do not have much role in toll revision.”
According to NTBCL, the company has incurred massive looses, since the prices of toll tax has not been revised since 2009. An official said, “We have suffered losses up to Rs. 3,000 crore so far.”
