NHAI told to study no-toll option
The uproar over the continuing traffic snarls at two toll plazas on the Delhi-Gurgaon access controlled highway ever since the concessionaire started charging toll a fortnight ago has now reached a fever pitch
By Dipak Kumar Dash, TNN |
NEW DELHI/GURGAON: The uproar over the continuing traffic snarls at two toll plazas on the Delhi-Gurgaon access controlled highway ever since the concessionaire started charging toll a fortnight ago has now reached a fever pitch. Highly placed sources in the ministry of shipping, road transport and highways on Monday said since the "smooth and uninterrupted flow of traffic during normal operating conditions" remains a distant dream, the NHAI has been asked to look into the legalities of why the concessionaire could not be asked to suspend tolling until the system was upgraded to tackle the traffic piling up at the plazas.
Ministry sources said daily reports of commuters caught in huge jams even after paying for the promised facilities have made ministry officials unhappy. They added that at a recent meeting on this issue lasted only for a few minutes and the NHAI officials were asked to find a way out to address the public ire. They said as per the contract provision, the ministry can take any action to avoid the wrath of the people, who are unwilling to deal with the problem any more.
They added that the NHAI is now in the process of writing a letter to the concessionaire highlighting its failures as per the concession agreement between the client (NHAI) and concessionaire (DS Constructions). "But they have to look into the legal aspects. However, in the given condition, there is no other option left with the client. The tolling can resume once at least 50% of vehicles get converted to the electronic toll collection (ETC) mode," they said.
In fact, it has been highlighted by the NHAI and even the concessionaire that until a major chunk of the vehicles using the expressway shift to contact-less card or smart tag mode, the waiting time at the plazas would not reduce to the 'assured' duration. Even on Monday evening, vehicles coming from Gurgaon piled up to the middle of Udyog Vihar flyover and commuters had to spend at least 20 minutes to cross the plaza.
"If that's what the government is seriously considering now, there is nothing like it. People who are paying to use the road and still they have to spend half an hour in the evening to cross the 32-lane plaza never supported the logic of tolling. Had there been an alternate lane for those who don't want to pay the toll, many of us would have preferred to take that stretch. The NHAI must hold the concessionaire responsible for failing to deliver the promised ride," said a activist Anil Sood of Chetna.
Added another commuter Harpreet Gill: "We do not see any change. The ministry is sleeping over the issue. I think the changes will only happen when the Haryana or Delhi chief minister or some VVIP gets stuck in the jam. Then we will see the tables turning. But maybe before they come the police would be stationed in advance for their smooth passage."
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