Toll operator accounts should be audited by government: PMK

Tamil Nadu's PMK party chief S.Ramadoss on Saturday demanded that all the road toll gates be brought under the government and their accounts be audited.

He also contended that it is against natural justice to collect toll for using the road after the government collects road tax and fuel surcharge.

In a statement issued here, Ramadoss said that once the private party that built and maintains the road recovers its initial investment, the toll should be reduced to 20 percent of the original rate.

As per National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) norms, once the capital cost has been recovered, then the toll rate should be reduced to 40 percent for maintenance, he said.

"This norm is not followed only in Tamil Nadu but also across the country," Ramadoss said.

Noting experts are of the view that the capital cost of a road project can be recovered in seven years time, he said that but even after 15 years, the original toll rate topped with yearly upward revisions is being collected.

According to Ramadoss, the truck owners are right in demanding the abolition of toll gates across the country.