Why The Toll-Free DND Drive Is Taking A Toll

Commuters Complain Infra Of Showpiece Delhi-Noida Connector Falling Apart; Co In Charge Says ‘Doing Our Job Diligently’

Noida:A lifeline for intercity travel since its inauguration in January 2001, the 9.2km Delhi-Noida-Direct (DND) Flyway no longer looks like the showpiece infrastructure project it was built to be.

A pale shadow of its former self, it has met the fate of many an Indian road: patches of rough surfaces and potholes, damaged signboards, defunct streetlights in places, absent road markings at others and garbage collecting along the shoulders.

Noida resident Rakesh Jha, who takes the DND to Delhi regularly, wonders why potholes aren’t filled immediately on a road as important. He said the ride has become bumpier at the Delhi entry of Flyway near the toll plaza and intermittently elsewhere. Jha has also been regularly tweeting about the non-functional toilets and streetlights along the DND.

The state of the DND surprised Avnish Kumar, who lives in Sector 71 (Noida), when he started going to office again after a pandemic-induced work-from-home break. “I have been staying in Noida for 25 years and commuting to and from Delhi, but I’ve never seen the DND Flyway in such a state. Take streetlights, for example. Some are working on the portion between Noida and the old toll shed but as you move further towards Delhi, I find most are unlit. Can’t understand why they not working?” he asked.

Surbhi Chandel, a college student residing in Noida, said a well-lit road would be more reassuring for a two-wheeler rider like her, as would be the presence of an ambulance and a police patrol vehicle, especially at night when traffic moves faster. “Driving on the DND isn’t what it used to be, especially for those like me who take the Flyway during late hours,” said Chandel.