HC modifies its order on giving number to toll authorities

Madras High Court today modified its earlier order and held that vehicle owners and drivers passing through the Paranur toll plaza near Chengalpet need not give their mobile numbers to toll authorities.
The court had on May 21 directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to keep a record of registration numbers of vehicles and mobile numbers of those driving them, while hearing a PIL filed by advocate C Govind Chandrasekhar, questioning the legality of the plaza.
The NHAI Project Director, in his counter affidavit, had sought dismissal of the PIL, contending that the petition created 'utter confusion and chaos' in the minds of the public as there was also a persistent law and order problem.

The affidavit also said the existing user fee collecting agency had expressed their ability to continue after May 31 this year.
While the PIL contended that NHAI had located the toll plaza at a very short distance from a town and it was paving the way for the agency to demand toll illegally and make inflated profits, the counter said the plaza was located in accordance with the notifications of National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.
Later, Justice B Rajendran posted the matter for July 3.