The petition, states that the riders are being charged separately for onward and return travel even if it is within 24 hours.
Coimbatore: The Citizen’s Voice Coimbatore has petitioned the Prime Minister of the country on the excessive toll charge levied on the commuters. They have also raised an issue stating that the riders are forced to pay toll charges even if they return within 24 hours.
In the letter, it is stated that the fee collection by toll booths in the state violates the toll fee collecting norms by not adhering to the minimum toll booth distance of 40 km. And the toll fee has been collected even after the expiry of the Government’s deadline. They have alleged that no statutory information is displayed regarding the periodicity of collection. The public is deprived of the information, for instance in the district of Cuddalore even after the expiry of the license period, toll gate is being collected till date.
Further, the letter also highlighted that riders are collected the toll charges even if they return within 24 hours. Earlier when the vehicles used to return in the same direction within 24 hours, the public was paying a lesser amount. However, they are fleeced to pay separately for onward and return journeys.
Further, in the letter, it is mentioned that “The Hon’ble Minister will appreciate this sort of tactics on the part of the NHAI is an unhealthy practice and highly objectionable. The upward revision of toll charges has to be re-stretched, not so frequent, that too after fully recovering the cost of the project.
We also observe that a sizable amount of deposits has to be maintained under the fast tag account for which no interest is being paid to the fast tag account holders. Where sufficient balance is being paid by him, they are forced to pay an extra say 200% where the balance is not sufficient in the Fast track account. The vehicle users are charged on an exorbitant double charge which is totally unfair. Another glaring example of poor maintenance of roads is Kaniyur-Chengapally Road which is very badly maintained and the upkeep is not up to the expectation.
The above or a few true comments on how the National Highway Authority of India is functioning much to the disadvantage of road users. We would like the government to look into all the above aspects and find a just a solution for the benefit of commuters.”