With growing resentment among residents against "high" road toll rates imposed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in Haryana, the state government today decided to discuss the issue with the Centre.
The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda here today, decided to take up with the Union government the issue of high toll charges imposed by NHAI, particularly in the areas where the rates are determined under the 2008 policy, a spokesman said.
The Cabinet noted that the toll charges under 2008 policy are so high that currently an average user has to pay Rs 2.28 per km as compared to Rs 1.17 per km according to the revised 2010 policy, the spokesman said.
The Cabinet also noted that while the commuters are heavily burdened, the NHAI will collect a premium of about Rs 2,200 crore for the concession period from the companies operating the toll roads, including Gurgaon-Manesar, Rohtak-Panipat and Panipat Ambala.
The Haryana Cabinet also authorised the Principal Secretary of PWD to finalise the modalities for providing relief to the users of different categories of vehicle including cars, jeeps, maxi-cabs and light commercial vehicles, by entering into a dialogue with the concessionaires.
It was decided that a proposal would be brought before the Cabinet within a fortnight, the spokesman said.
There have been several protests in the state over the road toll rates.
