Six laning of Walajapet-Poonamallee section of National Highways-4 is yet to commence, but many road users said that they have already been made to pay toll for it.
This collection of excess toll fee by the private contractor has drawn flak from road users, particularly those who operate buses and lorries, and they have called for its roll back.
Nearly 21 months ago, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had awarded the contract for converting the section from four-lane to six-lane and its maintenance to Essel Walajapet Poonamallee Toll Road Private Limited. The firm was operating the toll plaza on this section.
“But work to convert the section into six-lane is yet to commence. The existing four-lane is not being maintained. But road users have been charged in excess according to six-lane toll rates since 2013. This rate has been further hiked by 40 per cent from last night,” said V. Rajagopal, secretary of Tamil Nadu State Sand Lorry Owner’s Federation.
On Wednesday, representatives of various associations - Vellore District Bus Owners Association, Tamil Nadu Lorry Owners Federation and Tamil Nadu State Sand Lorry Owner’s Federation – submitted a petition to the district administration seeking intervention to roll back this hike.
The Vellore District Bus Owners Association said for a period of seven years from September 2005 to 2012, they were paying Rs. 2,850 a month towards toll charges. In 2012, the contractor was changed and the toll rate was hiked as the section was being converted into six-lane.
D. Vijaya Govindarajan, president, Vellore District Bus Owners Association, said the condition of the road was bad due to lack of maintenance and this was leading to several accidents.
“The issue of excess toll collection was raised when P. Sankar was the Collector of Vellore district. He had then written to NHAI to levy the fee structure for four-lane until the six-laning works were taken up,” he said.
The sand lorry owner’s federation, in their petition, claimed that the firm had illegally collected excess toll fee to the tune of Rs. 90 crore. Based on their complaint, Sriperumbudur police had called the officials of the firm and NHAI for an inquiry.
S. Yuvaraj, president of the federation, said the Essel company had collected Rs. 4 lakh a day at the two toll plazas at Sriperumbudur and Walajapet towards maintenance of the stretch.
“We have asked the Collector to stop the collection of excess toll fee by April 10. If not, we have decided to block the collection of toll on April 15,” he added.
Dr. Govindarajan said the private contractor had no rights to increase the toll charges.
“The district officials have assured to convene talks with all stakeholders. If this hike is not rolled back, we will stage a protest,” he added.
Users are made to pay for Walajapet-Poonamallee section of NH-4 which is yet to commence
Essel Walajapet Poonamallee Toll Road Pvt. Ltd. was operating the toll plaza on this section
