Ganga Expressway To Remain Toll-Free For 15 Days After Opening, Announces CM Yogi

<p data-start="221" data-end="414">In a major relief for commuters, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced that the Ganga Expressway will remain toll-free for 15 days from its Commercial Operation Date (COD).</p> <p data-start="416" data-end="588">Under the decision, travellers will be able to use Uttar Pradesh&rsquo;s longest expressway without paying any toll during the initial 15-day period after it opens to the public.</p> <h2 data-section-id="139r5m2" data-start="590" data-end="649"><span role="text"><strong data-start="594" data-end="649">UPEIDA Issues Directions To Suspend Toll Collection</strong></span></h2> <p data-start="651" data-end="899">Following the chief minister&rsquo;s directive, the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) has instructed project concessionaires, IRB Infrastructure and Adani Infrastructure, to suspend toll collection for the 15-day period.</p> <p data-start="901" data-end="983">According to the order, no fee will be charged from travellers during this window.</p> <h2 data-section-id="12mmz25" data-start="985" data-end="1033"><strong><span role="text">Expressway Declared Ready For Public Use</span></strong></h2> <p data-start="1035" data-end="1227">The announcement comes after the Independent Engineer issued a provisional certificate under Article 14.3.1 of the concession agreement, fixing the Commercial Operation Date of the expressway.</p> <p data-start="1229" data-end="1306">With this, the Ganga Expressway is now considered fully ready for public use.</p> <h2 data-section-id="qma5fz" data-start="1308" data-end="1367"><span role="text"><strong data-start="1312" data-end="1367">Move Aims To Boost Public Experience And Confidence</strong></span></h2> <p data-start="1369" data-end="1536">The state government said the objective behind the toll exemption is to allow as many people as possible to experience the newly built expressway in its initial phase.</p> <p data-start="1538" data-end="1653">The 594-kilometre-long corridor will enable commuters to assess its quality, speed and public facilities firsthand.</p> <p data-start="1655" data-end="1763">Officials said the move is also expected to promote tourism and strengthen public confidence in the project.</p> <h2 data-section-id="cgp9fs" data-start="1765" data-end="1810"><span role="text"><strong data-start="1769" data-end="1810">Government To Compensate Revenue Loss</strong></span></h2> <p data-start="1812" data-end="1919">The Ganga Expressway has been developed under the Public Private Partnership model on a DBFOT (Toll) basis.</p> <p data-start="1921" data-end="2017">Under the concession agreement, the concessionaires have the right to collect toll for 27 years.</p> <p data-start="2019" data-end="2159">However, the revenue loss arising from the 15-day toll exemption will be compensated by the state government or UPEIDA as per the agreement.</p> <h2 data-section-id="164bdlt" data-start="2161" data-end="2221"><span role="text"><strong data-start="2165" data-end="2221">No Compromise On Maintenance During Toll-Free Period</strong></span></h2> <p data-start="2223" data-end="2352">UPEIDA said all standards related to operation and maintenance will continue to be strictly followed during the toll-free period.</p> <p data-start="2354" data-end="2512">It added that road quality, safety, traffic management and commuter facilities will remain fully operational under the provisions of the concession agreement.</p> <h2 data-section-id="6vhq92" data-start="2514" data-end="2568"><span role="text"><strong data-start="2518" data-end="2568">A Key Infrastructure Project For Uttar Pradesh</strong></span></h2> <p data-start="2570" data-end="2741">Stretching from Meerut to Prayagraj, the Ganga Expressway connects 12 districts of Uttar Pradesh and is being seen as a major infrastructure boost for the state&rsquo;s economy.</p> <p data-start="2743" data-end="2886">The toll waiver is being viewed as part of the government&rsquo;s push to combine infrastructure development with a public-friendly rollout strategy.</p>

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