Lucknow, May 1
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken a major decision in public interest and announced that the Ganga Expressway will remain toll free for 15 days from its Commercial Operation Date (COD). Under this decision, people of the state will be able to travel without any charge on the longest and most advanced expressway in Uttar Pradesh.
After the instructions of the Chief Minister, the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority has taken immediate action and issued directions to the project’s concessionaires, IRB Infrastructure and Adani Infrastructure, to suspend toll collection for 15 days. As per the order issued by UPEIDA, no kind of fee will be taken from travellers during this period.
This decision has come at a time when the Independent Engineer issued a provisional certificate under Article 14.3.1 of the concession agreement, which fixed the Commercial Operation Date of the expressway. With this, the expressway is now considered fully ready for use by the public.
The aim of the Yogi government is that in the initial phase, as many people as possible can experience this modern expressway. The opportunity to travel without toll on this 594 kilometre long expressway will allow people to directly see its quality, speed and public facilities. This step will not only promote tourism but will also strengthen public trust in the expressway.
The Ganga Expressway has been developed under the Public Private Partnership model on a DBFOT (Toll) basis. Under this, the concessionaires have been given the right to collect toll for 27 years. However, the revenue loss due to this 15 day toll exemption will be compensated by the state government or UPEIDA as per the provisions of the concession agreement.
UPEIDA has made it clear that even during the toll free period, all standards related to operation and maintenance will be strictly followed. Under Article 17 and other provisions of the concession agreement, there will be no compromise on road quality, safety, traffic management and facilities.
Stretching from Meerut to Prayagraj, this expressway connects 12 districts of the state and is being seen as a game changer for the economy of Uttar Pradesh. This 15 day toll exemption will not only give relief to the public but will also create a positive environment around this mega project.
The decision is being seen as part of the state government’s ‘public first’ policy, which focuses on infrastructure development along with giving a ‘feel good’ experience to citizens.
