Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva asks Centre to withdraw 'toll tax' from Delhi-Jaipur National Highway

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva today asked the Centre to withdraw its toll tax on the Jaipur-Delhi national higway till road works on it are completed.

"This is for the new minister in the public interest to do a first thing is to withdraw the toll tax till roads are completed on Jaipur-Delhi national highway", the Governor told reporters after an event at Chamber Bhawan here.

Alva said, in the past she had written a number of letters to the Centre on the deteriorating national highway on Jaipur-Delhi route and the then Transport, Road and Highways minister Oscar Fernandes had come and did his best.

"I have again asked a question till the highway is completed -- why is toll being collected? There is an agreement on PPP model that tax would be collected on completion of the project that you charge on roads as toll tax. Despite all road hazards to travellers, the tax is being collected without completion of the project", she said.

Alva, who is also Chancellor of the state universities said she would address a meeting of all Vice-Chancellors tomorrow to listen their problems and short list an agenda as she would be completing her term on August 5.

"I will discuss all matters related to the varsities and put up a short list to the Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje so that the matters be taken up and resolved later on," Alva said.