DND Flyway Night Traffic Restrictions Announced for Major Resurfacing Project
Noida: Commuters traveling between Noida and Delhi are set to face significant disruptions as the DND Flyway undergoes critical resurfacing work. The Noida Toll Bridge Company Limited (NTBCL) has announced that traffic on the Noida-Delhi carriageway will be restricted nightly from 11pm to 6am between February 22 and March 18, 2025.
Impact on Commuters and Alternative Routes
These nightly curbs are expected to severely slow Delhi-bound movement and could disrupt commuters headed for early-morning flights from Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Traffic officials have confirmed that vehicles will be systematically diverted through the Chilla border until the restrictions are lifted.
According to detailed traffic management plans, Delhi-bound vehicles on Noida Expressway from Mahamaya that would normally take the Flyway will be redirected straight towards Dalit Prerna Sthal and then routed to the Chilla border. Additionally, traffic originating from Sector 16 and Rajnigandha Chowk destined for DND Flyway will be instructed to take a U-turn and travel through the Chilla border instead.
"We strongly advise all commuters to use alternative routes to avoid inconvenience and plan their airport travel well in advance," emphasized a senior traffic officer involved in the planning.
Resurfacing Project Details and Challenges
This work represents the second phase of a comprehensive resurfacing initiative on the crucial corridor. NTBCL, the concessionaire responsible for DND Flyway, had previously announced that repairs, upgrades, and maintenance activities were resuming after earlier interruptions.
The upgrade project originally began in October 2024 but faced significant delays due to pollution-related restrictions and challenging winter conditions that narrowed the execution window for specialized bituminous work. Company officials explained that bituminous road construction requires specific ambient temperature thresholds to ensure proper laying, bonding, and long-term performance of the carriageway.
"Bitumen availability and transportation remain key challenges, and lower winter temperatures adversely affect both the quality of laying and safe working windows," NTBCL stated in an official release.
Officials have confirmed that approximately 70% of the resurfacing has been completed, with the remaining work now progressing under more favorable conditions. The entire stretch is scheduled to be fully revamped by March 2025.
Historical Context and Broader Significance
This represents the second major rehabilitation effort on DND Flyway, with an estimated cost of ₹6 crore. The first phase, completed in 2023 ahead of the G20 summit at a cost of ₹5 crore, addressed initial wear and tear on the vital infrastructure.
Opened on February 6, 2001, the 9.2-kilometer, eight-lane corridor serves as a critical link between Noida and Delhi's Maharani Bagh area, accommodating approximately 250,000 commuters daily. The Flyway's importance to regional connectivity cannot be overstated, making its maintenance essential for smooth intercity movement.
The Flyway's tolling mechanism has been under legal scrutiny for years. On September 8, 2014, resident welfare associations petitioned the Allahabad High Court seeking abolition of the toll and concession agreement, arguing that project costs had already been recovered. The court barred NTBCL from collecting toll on October 26, 2016, while clarifying that the company remained responsible for maintenance under the agreement. NTBCL challenged this order in the Supreme Court, which ultimately upheld the toll collection ban on December 20, 2024.
Despite the toll controversy, NTBCL continues to fulfill its maintenance obligations, with this resurfacing project representing a significant investment in the corridor's longevity and safety for the hundreds of thousands who depend on it daily.
