Deflating DND flyway toll company’s claims of having constructed the “best road in the country,” the Supreme Court on Friday did not stay the Allahabad High Court verdict ordering the company to stop toll collection from commuters.

“You claim credit as if you have constructed a road to the Moon. Fine, you have done a good job. People are travelling on it... but don’t keep patting yourself on the back for it,” Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur, heading a three-judge Bench, told the toll company.

The Bench said it would consider the toll company’s suggestion that the apex court appoint an independent auditor or even have the Comptroller and Auditor-General check the cost-expenditures-income derived by the Noida Toll Bridge Company for having built and operated the eight-lane flyway connecting the National Capital with satellite Noida regions for the past 15 years.

Appearing for the toll company, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the recent Allahabad High Court judgment ordered it to stop toll collection without sparing a thought for the “sanctity of contract” which it entered into with the NOIDA authorities in 1993.

Mr. Singhvi said under the contract with NOIDA authorities, the company can stop toll collection either on touching 20 per cent internal rate of return or on the expiry of 30 years.

‘Minus income’

The senior advocate said they had not even recovered their costs from the project. He said the toll company had run on “minus” income for several years after the flyway started operating in 2001.

Mr. Singhvi said stopping l collection would mean the company would have to dismiss 472 employees manning the booths.

SC refuses to stay High Court order to stop toll collection from commuters