HC gives more time to settle e-way row
The Delhi High Court today allowed the National Highways Authority of India and the operator of the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway more time to settle a lease termination row out of court.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday allowed the National Highways Authority of India and the operator of the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway more time to settle a lease termination row out of court.
Justice S Muralidhar granted time till September 17 after the NHAI and concessionaire Delhi-Gurgaon Super Connectivity Ltd (DGSCL) agreed to resolve their differences. But the operator had some reservations on minor issues which needed sorting out.
The NHAI told the court that its board, which draws its members from various central ministries, had finalised a draft memorandum of understanding on August 13 and given it to the DGSCL on August 17 for examination.
The DGSCL, however, said its suggestions were given to the NHAI chairman on Wednesday and some more time was required to reach a conclusion.
A DGSCL spokesperson said the NHAI document had portions that were absent in the original agreement. "It also had a few changes that in effect amended the concession agreement," the spokesperson said.
"The concessionaire immediately provided its comments and requested the NHAI to reconsider certain clauses of the draft provided. However, the NHAI showed its inability to do anything in the matter," a DGSCL release said.
On issues relating to commuter facilities, the NHAI board had reportedly proposed that number of trips for frequent commuters should be brought down to 40 a month against the existing 60 trips.
The DGSCL had approached the court after the NHAI had issued a preliminary notice to it on December 7 last year for cancelling the contract.