Maharashtra toll booth rage might become national

Experts want better monitoring

The vandalism of 22 toll booths across Maharashtra on Monday might not be a one-off case of angst against paid highway service, say experts. The protests might become national, as there could be widespread public anger against the quality of services.

“While there is always the worry of investors going away and the infrastructure sector going through tough times, these events also brought to the fore the fact that there is anger amongst the public that after paying toll, adequate services are not being provided by the concessionaire,” said Vishwas Udgirkar, senior director at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

Udgirkar said it was a larger government issue as there was no monitoring authority on the service quality. “The public does not know whom to complain to if they are unhappy with the service,” he said. Some of the services that go with toll roads include good quality roads, lightening, roadside amenities, proper signages, cranes and ambulances.

In the past few days, the leader of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena or MNS, Raj Thackeray had openly called for the public to stop paying toll in the state. This had led to protests where some of the collection booths were attacked. Three companies—Ashoka Buildcon, IRB Infrastructure and MEP Tollways were impacted. However, none of them refused to speak on record.

“Today, there were protests for a few hours and there was disruption. But, we started operations after that. So, we do not see any long-term effect. We have approached the government and we will let the state decide, because we are working on behalf of them,” said an executive of an infrastructure firm, on the condition of anonymity.

Experts, however, said there was a chance that such protests could spread across the country as sporadic incidents have already been happening. “There were protests in Tamil Nadu when tolling started. There have been some incidents in Delhi as well. A lot of highway projects are going into operation now,” said Udgirkar.

Industry body All India Motor Transport Congress too believes that high costs are involved for the movement of goods within the company. “It is questionable as to why the government does not heed to our request for Toll Permit when the road transport sector is ready to pay toll. Isn’t it just to benefit the road builder lobby, the politicians and influential people behind it?,” said Bal Malkit Singh, president of the association.