Assam: NHAI claims Raha toll plaza is not illegal

24 July 2018:

Claiming that the toll plaza at Raha is not illegal, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has written to the Assam government seeking necessary administrative support for smooth collection of toll.

In a letter written to Chief Secretary TY Das on Monday, RP Singh, CGM (T) and RO NE, Kolkata, said that Section 8 (location of toll plaza-1), Part 3 in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (Department of Road Transport and Highways), New Delhi Gazette Notification GSR 838 (E) dated 05.12.2008, states “provided further that where a section of national highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel, as the case may be, is constructed within the municipal or town area limits or within five kilometres from such limits, primarily for use of the residents of such municipal or town area, the toll plaza may be established within the municipal or town area limits or within a distance of five kilometres from such limits”.

He said after the project director, PIU-Nagaon submitted justification for setting up the toll plaza at Raha, Kalyan Dutta, Manager (T), NHAI, who is a representative of regional office, NE, NHAI, visited the site on July 22 and submitted a brief report.

Earlier, 29 organizations including Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), All Assam Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRASU), All Assam Tai Ahom Students’ Union (AATSU) etc. had organized a dharna for closure of the toll plaza, which is located on National Highway 37, and blocked the highway on Monday at the site of the toll gate.

The United Forum of All Jatiya and Ethnic Organizations of Assam against Raha Toll Plaza through a memorandum had claimed that according to Section 8 of the National Highways Fees (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, no toll plaza could be built within a distance of 10 km from a town or municipality area and the Raha toll plaza is situated at Ward No 7 of Raha town. Hence, the organisation had demanded the toll plaza’s closure.