Public Accounts Committee discusses toll, user charges on highways, construction quality

New Delhi, The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament had a detailed discussion on Wednesday on levying toll on national highways, the construction quality of roads and road safety, among other issues.

Headed by Congress leader K C Venugopal, the PAC held the discussion on the subject of "Levy and regulation of fees, tariffs, user charges etc. on public infrastructure and other public utilities" at the Parliament House complex here.

Representatives of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and other organisations concerned gave briefings at the meeting.


Venugopal said the NHAI and ministry officials appeared before the PAC for the discussion.

"We discussed the levy of toll, construction quality -- everything. It was a fruitful discussion. Earlier, we gave a report to Parliament where many shortcomings with regard to designs, construction etc. were highlighted. I am glad that some of the major concerns were addressed by the NHAI," he told reporters, adding that issues related to road safety were also discussed at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Dola Sen said the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce on Wednesday discussed the Indo-US trade agreement and its evaluation and effects, if any.

"We discussed the Indo-US trade agreement and its evaluation and effects, if any. We have been discussing the impacts of the trade agreement on industries, agriculture for the last six months. We have been discussing all issues of concern," she said, adding that a report of the committee will be tabled in Parliament soon.