“Excess toll” collection flayed

The District Road Transport Workers Federation members staging demonstration in front of RTO office in Tirunelveli on Monday. Photo: A. Shaikmohideen

Condemning the “excess fee collection” at Nanguneri toll gate, members of Tirunelveli District Road Traffic Workers' Federation, affiliated to CITU, staged a demonstration in front of the Office of Regional Transport Officer at NGO Colony here on Monday.

Led by T. Subramaniam, president of the federation, the members raised slogans against the private firm collecting “excess toll” and urged the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to initiate action against the “erring firm.”

They said that though the multiple entry ticket given to vehicles is valid for 24 hours, the private firm allows vehicles only for an ‘up and down travel' within 24 hours.

“While all toll gates across Tamil Nadu allow vehicles with ‘multiple entry tickets' several times, the personnel manning the Nanguneri toll gate permit only an ‘up and down travel' even for this ticket, now costing Rs. 100, while it is much lesser in other toll gates on the four-lane national highways. The drivers questioning this practice are being threatened,” said Mr. Subramaniam and CITU district secretary R. Mohan, who inaugurated the demonstration.

Warning

“If the officials failed to take action, hundreds of its members will lay siege to the Nanguneri toll gate without prior announcement,” the speakers at the protest warned.

The protesters also urged the State Government to reduce the road tax, life tax on vehicles and other taxes affecting the motor industry, especially taxi and tourist vehicles.

Office-bearers of various trade unions including P. Manoharan, S. Perumal, P. Muthukrishnan, M. Rajangam and others spoke on the occasion.