Saharanpur. The Stamp Department has intensified its investigation into the nearly ₹44 crore toll contract at the Ganeshpur Toll Plaza on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway. During a physical inspection, officials found a new company collecting toll at the plaza, but its representatives could not produce the relevant contract documents. The department subsequently issued notices to the company and the National Highways Authority of India, seeking details and copies of the agreement. During the investigation, an agreement belonging to the previous toll operator was also found to be unregistered. The department has initiated stamp proceedings based on the alleged shortfall in stamp duty and started the process for recovery.
According to Stamp Department officials, stamp duty is payable on such contractual agreements as prescribed under the applicable rules. In the Ganeshpur Toll Plaza case, the agreement related to the earlier toll contract, valued at around ₹44 crore, was found to be unregistered. The department is now assessing the stamp duty payable based on the nature of the agreement and its terms. Officials said action is being taken on the basis that stamp duty at the rate of 2% is applicable to the contract.
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The department had previously issued several notices to the concerned parties seeking copies of documents related to the toll operation and the contract. However, according to officials, the required documents or response were not provided. Following this, the AIG Stamp conducted a physical inspection of the Ganeshpur Toll Plaza on September 8.
During the inspection, officials found a new company operating the toll plaza. Representatives of the company were asked to produce the contract and other documents related to toll operations, but they could not provide the agreement immediately. Officials of the company and NHAI assured the department that a copy of the contract would be provided subsequently.
During the same investigation, the department obtained details of the earlier toll agreement involving Ashmi Road Carrier. The contract, valued at around ₹44 crore, was found to be unregistered. Based on this agreement, the Stamp Department has initiated stamp proceedings. The concerned party will now be required to pay the applicable stamp duty and any other amount recoverable under the rules.
The department has also expanded its scrutiny beyond the Ganeshpur Toll Plaza. Notices have been issued to toll-operating companies at other toll plazas in the district as well as to NHAI. The concerned parties have been directed to provide copies of their toll contracts and documents related to their registration and payment of stamp duty.
Officials will examine whether the agreements governing other toll plazas have been duly registered and whether the prescribed stamp duty has been paid. Once the documents are received, the department will assess the applicable stamp duty based on the contract value, duration and terms. If any shortfall or violation of the applicable rules is found, recovery proceedings will be initiated accordingly.
For now, the Stamp Department is awaiting a copy of the current agreement of the new toll operator at Ganeshpur, while stamp proceedings have already been initiated in connection with the approximately ₹44 crore agreement of the previous operator. The concerned companies and NHAI have been asked to submit the relevant contractual documents. The exact stamp duty liability and further action will be determined after the department completes its examination of the agreements and supporting records.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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