Noida flyway toll hike too caused ‘change hassles’

In early April 2009, the Noida Bridge Company Limited (NTBCL) hiked the toll rate for a car from Rs 20 to Rs 22. It had to be rolled back towards the end of the same month following mounting pressure from residents and political groups.

In early April 2009, the Noida Bridge Company Limited (NTBCL) hiked the toll rate for a car from Rs 20 to Rs 22. It had to be rolled back towards the end of the same month following mounting pressure from residents and political groups.

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The roll back was attributed to the fact that since elections were round the corner, the government did not want to annoy the public. But NTBCL staff then too admitted that the R22 toll caused a lot of “change hassles” which delayed operations and also resulted in long queues.

NTBCL kept loose change (coins) in advance to deal with the situation without much success. In February this year, the NTBCL chose to hike the rate again and went for R25 instead of R22 keeping in mind the earlier hassles and inconvenience caused to commuters.

Within a week, Noida Authority managed to get the hike withdrawn. A meeting of Noida Authority and NTBCL officials is likely any time now to work out a middle path. Chances are the two bodies may decide to go for R22. NTBCL staff said it would be tough but they would tackle the rush by keeping coins and training the toll plaza staff.