P. Wilson SPECIAL MENTION TODAY (3.8.2022)ON ABOLISHING ALL TOLL PLAZAS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

[8/3, 18:41] Sekarreporter1: P. Wilson SPECIAL MENTION TODAY (3.8.2022)ON ABOLISHING ALL TOLL PLAZAS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

There are more than 1000 toll plazas in India, highest being in TN – 48. Right to travel is a fundamental right. In developed countries there is an option of toll and non-toll roads. However in our country all important arterial roads in State have been taken over by NHAI and converted into toll roads, forcing the people to pay toll. Those living adjacent to toll roads have to use the roads every day and even the monthly passes are expensive.
There are many stretches of National Highways operated by concessionaires/NHAI who have already realised the investment but still continuing to collect exorbitant toll fees. Toll fees are increased year to year by NHAI mechanically. Toll fees are charged even for Government transport buses and other State Government vehicles. State transport corporations are not profit driven but provide services at nominal rates. Therefore all NHAI toll fee plazas in the country requires immediate auditing by an independent authority to analyse the investment made, amount realised through toll collections in such stretch and any amount due to concessionaire/NHAI. Such concessionaries could be settled once for all. There cannot be element of profiteering in public utility infrastructure.
Time has come where all the toll plazas have to be abolished completely. Instead, a one-time fee at the time of registering the motor vehicle can be collected.
Therefore I urge the Hon’ble Union Minister for Road Transport Highways to abolish all Toll Plazas across the country.
[8/3, 18:41] Sekarreporter1: ..