Govt working towards electronic toll collection system

The issue of levy of toll on highways generated much heat in Lok Sabha today prompting Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to ask the government to look into the concerns of the members in this regard.
Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Krishanpal Gurjar said the government is working towards electronic toll collection system to make it transparent.
But Opposition members said the system lacked transparency and the concessionaires were minting money at the cost of people.
The Minister said user fee or toll is levied and collected as per the applicable fee rules and provisions of the concession agreement.

He said there is a provision in the concession agreement of some projects for collection of user fee on partial completion. In such cases user fee is collected for the completed length of the project.
In case of 6 laning projects, the concession agreements permit tolling with effect from the appointed date.

The minister said concessionaires have to inform the authority of the levy fee from time to time and its plans to revive it.
Chhedi Paswan (BJP) who had asked the main question termed toll collection on roads which are damaged or incomplete as an "economic offence".
The minister rejected suggestions that concessionaires are paid a sum to maintain highways and roads.

As several members raised the issue, the Speaker asked the minister to note the concerns of the members and take action wherever necessary.