The Madras High Court on Tuesday told the authorities that if they failed to carry out repairs to the National Highway (NH4) between Chennai and Vellore as required by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) by February 3 next, the concessionaire and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would not be allowed to collect toll.
The First Bench, of Chief Justice S.K. Kaul and Justice M. Sathyanarayanan, passed the interim order on a petition by V.R.S. Sampath, an advocate, who said the NH 4 from Chennai to Bangalore, passing through Vellore, Krishnagiri and Hosur, was in a bad shape. Yet, toll was being collected at the rate of Rs.40- Rs.50 for every 50 km.
By an interim order, the court directed the IRC to appoint a team of experts to inspect the NH between Chennai and Vellore and submit a report.
Meanwhile, the Kancheepuram District Private Bus Owners Association filed a petition. It said its members, granted permit to operate on the NH 4, were upset at the arbitrary imposition of toll by ESSEL Walajahpet-Poonamallee Toll Roads Pvt. Ltd. Though the expansion of the road as a six-lane highway was yet to be completed, the concessionaire was trying to impose a revised toll on the private bus operators.
The Bench said the IRC report pointed to the lack of maintenance by the concessionaire and the lack of supervision by the NHAI. At least by the next hearing, scheduled for February 3, the rectifications, recommended by the IRC, should be completed, it said. On completion of the work, the IRC could be requested by the two parties to do a fresh inspection, subject to the cost being reimbursed.
