<p>The Delhi Government’s Anti-Corruption Branch is investigating corruption charges against Delhi-Noida-Delhi flyway operator amid claims that it is “illegally” charging toll despite having recovered the original project cost.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The probe was ordered by the Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) minister Satyender Jain after the Confederation of NCR Residents’ Welfare Association (CONRWA) alleged corrupt practices by the bridge operator. <br /><br />Sources in the government confirm that ACB began probe following complaint from the RWA in May. <br /><br />In its letter to Jain, CONRWA said the toll operator spent Rs 408 crore to construct the flyway, and the amount has been recovered in the past 15 years.<br /><br />Increase in traffic<br />“For last 15 years the quantum of traffic has increased manifold on this flyover and it is estimated that more than Rs 700 crore has already been recovered. However, the DND flyway is showing a loss of Rs 3,500 crore and therefore increasing the toll rate,” CONRWA general secretary Chetan Sharma said. <br /><br />“The toll charges have increased from Rs 7 to Rs 28 now. It has been the government’s principal that once the toll cost is recovered the bridge or rode is declared toll free,” he added. <br /><br />Following CONRWA’s letter, the PWD chief engineer wrote on May 15 (Deccan Herald has a copy of the letter) to the engineer-in-chief: “Requests made in the letter of the Association for proposed action need to be considered at the appropriate level by the Delhi government in consultation with Noida (Authority) and Uttar Pradesh government.”<br />Over the past few months, several political and residents’ groups have organised protest against the toll operator. <br /><br />The flyway was opened in February 2001, and over 1.2 lakh vehicles use the high-speed road daily.</p>
<p>The Delhi Government’s Anti-Corruption Branch is investigating corruption charges against Delhi-Noida-Delhi flyway operator amid claims that it is “illegally” charging toll despite having recovered the original project cost.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The probe was ordered by the Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) minister Satyender Jain after the Confederation of NCR Residents’ Welfare Association (CONRWA) alleged corrupt practices by the bridge operator. <br /><br />Sources in the government confirm that ACB began probe following complaint from the RWA in May. <br /><br />In its letter to Jain, CONRWA said the toll operator spent Rs 408 crore to construct the flyway, and the amount has been recovered in the past 15 years.<br /><br />Increase in traffic<br />“For last 15 years the quantum of traffic has increased manifold on this flyover and it is estimated that more than Rs 700 crore has already been recovered. However, the DND flyway is showing a loss of Rs 3,500 crore and therefore increasing the toll rate,” CONRWA general secretary Chetan Sharma said. <br /><br />“The toll charges have increased from Rs 7 to Rs 28 now. It has been the government’s principal that once the toll cost is recovered the bridge or rode is declared toll free,” he added. <br /><br />Following CONRWA’s letter, the PWD chief engineer wrote on May 15 (Deccan Herald has a copy of the letter) to the engineer-in-chief: “Requests made in the letter of the Association for proposed action need to be considered at the appropriate level by the Delhi government in consultation with Noida (Authority) and Uttar Pradesh government.”<br />Over the past few months, several political and residents’ groups have organised protest against the toll operator. <br /><br />The flyway was opened in February 2001, and over 1.2 lakh vehicles use the high-speed road daily.</p>
