Authored By N. K. Fernandes
The Delhi-Noida Direct (DND) Flyway stands as a key link in the National Capital Region’s road network, cutting down travel time between South Delhi and Noida to under 15 minutes on a good day. Opened in February 2001, this 9.2-km eight-lane expressway crosses the Yamuna river with a 552-metre main bridge and connects Maharani Bagh in Delhi to Sector 15A in Noida. Before its launch, commuters faced long delays on older routes like Kalindi Kunj road. Today, over one lakh vehicles use it daily, easing pressure on other paths and boosting movement of people and goods across the region. Built at a cost of around Rs 408 crore, it was India’s first major road project with electronic toll collection lanes.
The DND Flyway came up under the Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model, a form of Public-Private Partnership (PPP). An agreement signed in 1997 involved the Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), Noida Authority, and Delhi government. The Noida Toll Bridge Company Limited (NTBCL) handled construction, with work awarded to Japan’s Mitsui-Marubeni Corporation. Noida Authority holds a small equity stake. This setup allowed private funds and expertise to build the road fast, completing it ahead of schedule. A 1.5-km extension to Mayur Vihar opened in 2008, further smoothing access to east Delhi. The project showed how PPP can bridge gaps where public money falls short, especially across state borders.
Better connectivity through DND Flyway sparked big changes in Delhi-NCR. It links directly to the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway on one end and Delhi’s Ring Road on the other. Recent additions like the Ashram flyover extension, opened in March 2023, help skip three traffic signals and cut congestion at key spots. Ongoing work on NH-148A will connect DND to Sohna and further to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, with parts expected ready by the end of this year 2025. This will open direct routes to Faridabad, Jewar airport, Jaipur, and beyond, easing load on NH-44 and NH-48. Another link to Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway under Bharatmala will improve ties to Haryana and western UP.
Noida has seen sharp growth thanks to this road. What started as an industrial area in 1976 turned into a major IT and commercial hub. Sectors near DND, like 2, 12, and 22, now host multinational firms, business parks, and the Noida Special Economic Zone. Real estate boomed as offices and homes sprang up along the expressway. Property prices rose steadily, with rental yields around 3-4 per cent in prime spots. Educational institutes and retail outlets followed, drawing families and professionals. The flyway made Noida a preferred satellite town, close to Delhi jobs but with more space. Upcoming projects like Noida International Airport at Jewar will add more push, creating jobs and demand for housing.
The PPP model brought private efficiency to public infrastructure needs. Government land and clearances joined hands with private funds to finish the project much faster than what full public funding often manages. NHAI has since rolled out similar setups for hundreds of highways, including Toll-Operate-Transfer deals. NTBCL played a big role in this success—handling construction through global partners, completing the flyway ahead of time, and maintaining it in top condition for years with regular upgrades. Early delivery gave users quick relief from traffic jams, while private upkeep ensured smooth rides and fewer breakdowns. This hands-on approach by NTBCL turned DND into a reliable lifeline, setting a solid example for private players in road building across the country.
Despite hurdles, DND Flyway sets an example for PPP in roads. National Highways Authority of India has awarded concessions for projects worth lakhs of crores under this model. It proves private players can deliver quality when contracts balance risks. For Delhi-NCR, it turned Noida from outskirts to a bustling centre. As more links like DND-Sohna and elevated roads to Sector 57 come up, the region will get even tighter knit.
In the coming years, PPP will remain crucial for infra push. With India aiming for world-class roads, models like BOOT can speed things up without straining public budgets. DND Flyway’s story highlights the gains: shorter commutes, booming economies, and liveable cities. As Noida grows further with Jewar airport and metro expansions, the foundation laid by this expressway will keep paying off for millions in Delhi-NCR.
K. Fernandes is an academician, infrastructure strategist, and advisor on public-private partnerships (PPP) with extensive experience in urban development, investment planning, and policy formulation. He has worked closely with government bodies, multilateral institutions, and private stakeholders to design and implement sustainable infrastructure solutions. As a thought leader in urban transformation and infrastructure finance, he brings a unique amalgamation of academic insight and practical expertise to the evolving landscape of India’s development story.
