Withdraw Toll Suspension on National Highways as It Allows Contractors To Claim Compensation, Says Activist

Moneylife Digital Team 31 March 2020

Public Interest

Pravin Wategaonkar, an activist who has filed several cases against the tolls on highways, has urged the Indian government to withdraw decision to suspend tolls on national highways as it will only allow toll collection agencies to claim compensation.

Mr Wategaonkar, in a letter to prime minister Narendra Modi says, "Due to the lock-down there is there is no regular traffic on road. Even on toll booths there is almost no or very less waiting period for paying toll. In addition, ambulances that are out on the road are already exempted from the tolls. In the absence of regular traffic, if toll is suspended, then the contractors get a right claim compensation for the losses. This at a time, when other businesses are absorbing losses and the government's move will allow contactors to earn money. This is violation of Article 14 read with Article 19(1)."

According to the activist, earlier, Maharashtra government had proposed to pay Rs145 crore for the 24 days suspension of toll during the demonetisation period. "Compensation claims now nationally will be in hundreds of crores of rupees," he added. Mr Wagegaonkar had also filed a complaint in this regard on the public grievances portal https://pgportal.gov.in.

Last week, the ministry of road transport & highways (MoRTH) asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to suspend toll collections across the country till 14 April 2020 due to the 21-day lockdown period. In a tweet, Nitin Gadkari, minister of MoRTH, said, "In view of Covid-19, it has been ordered to temporarily suspend the collection of toll at all toll plazas across India. This will not only reduce inconvenience to the supply of emergency services but also save critical time."

The ministry added that prevailing condition may be treated as force majeure of concession or contract agreement in terms of ministry of finance order issued on 19 February 2020.

Mr Wategaonkar is a petitioner in the public interest litigations (PILs) in the Adarsh Society Scam case, Mumbai-Pune Expressway Toll, and Sion-Panvel Toll issues, among others, which are pending in the Bombay High Court.

Comments

User

C V MANIAN

6 years ago

Mr Gadkari - The matter is within your right. No payment unless there is a service. So during the lockdown, there is no service and hence the public does not owe a penny to the vultures.

gops2000in

6 years ago

The fact is that these unscrupulous toll operators do everything to earn extra monies including charging for many hours just after the waiver announcement ! In my case when I took a Fast Tag account almost a year ago they pretended that the money (Rs 165 or so, don't remember exactly ) was not debited from my account (when I was at the toll naka ) and took cash from me ! I then got a sms informing me of the debit almost 30 mins later ! I believe this delay of SMS is done on purpose to earn extra money ! I have heard of many cases of such kind !!

gcmbinty.37

6 years ago

I would suggest and request the Highway Authorities to either withdraw the suspension of Toll Tax on the highways, or, declare to the public the period of suspension giving dates of beginning and suspension of the toll tax so that the contractors do not claim any money for the period of suspension.