Four check gates to be modernised in state

The Orissa government has decided to modernise four large unified check gates in the state to check evasion of taxes. These check gates are Laxmannath, Girisola, Luharachati and Jamsola.

Transport and commerce department has been asked to take action on a pilot project for modernisation of Luharachati check gate submitted by Electronic Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) by January 2010.

A team of officials have visited states like Maharastra and Gujarat to observe the functioning of the model check gates there. The same system will be replicated in four check gates proposed to be modernised in the state, state finance minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai said.

The proposal envisages opening of more counters along with multi-laning of the roads at the check gates. Similarly, all the check gates will be networked for easy monitoring of the activities by the Commissioner of Commercial Taxes (CCTs) and Transport Commissioner (TC).

This is expected to dramatically change the detection of vehicles, measuring loads, reducing the time for clearance of the vehicles and streamlining the tax collection at the gates. The pilot project envisages widening of roads, setting up of truck terminals, parking arrangement for light commercial vehicles, installation of scanning machines and vigilance camera and computerisation of all the processes.

Stating that the land acquisition for the modernisation of Girisola check gate has been completed, the minister said, 13 acres have been acquired at Laxmannath. By December this year, temporary constructions will be over for shifting of Laxamnath check gate.

Though SBI Caps had given a report to the state transport and commerce department on the modernization programme, no memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed with it. Meanwhile, ECIL has been roped in as a consultant for the proposed modernization.