Lucknow, May 1: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a significant decision to keep the Ganga Expressway toll-free for 15 days from its commercial operation date (COD). This initiative allows the public to experience the state’s longest and most advanced expressway without any charges.
Following CM Yogi’s directives, the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) has instructed the project’s concessionaires, IRB Infrastructure and Adani Infrastructure, to suspend toll collection for this period. According to UPEIDA’s order, no fees will be charged to travelers during these 15 days.
This decision comes after an independent engineer issued a provisional certificate under Article 14.3.1 of the concession agreement, marking the expressway’s readiness for commercial operation. The expressway is now deemed fully prepared for public use.
The Yogi government aims to allow as many people as possible to experience this state-of-the-art expressway in its initial phase. The 594-kilometer-long expressway will provide an opportunity for toll-free travel, showcasing its quality, speed, and public amenities. This initiative is expected to boost tourism and strengthen public trust in the expressway.
Developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model based on the DBFOT (toll) framework, the concessionaires have been granted toll collection rights for 27 years. However, the revenue loss from this 15-day toll exemption will be compensated by the state government or UPEIDA as per the provisions of the concession agreement.
UPEIDA has clarified that all operational and maintenance standards will be strictly adhered to during the toll-free period. There will be no compromise on road quality, safety, traffic management, and facilities as outlined in Article 17 and other provisions of the concession agreement.
Spanning from Meerut to Prayagraj, this expressway connects 12 districts in the state and is considered a game-changer for Uttar Pradesh’s economy. This toll exemption is not only a relief for the public but also aims to create a positive atmosphere around this mega project. The decision is viewed as part of the state government’s ‘People First’ policy, prioritizing infrastructure development and enhancing citizens’ well-being.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.
