NHAI Resumes Toll Collection Across National Highways After New Lockdown Guidelines Come Into Force

Nearly a month after suspending toll collection, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Monday (20 April) resumed toll collection across the national highways as the new lockdown guidelines came into force, reports Economic Times.

The development comes after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in its revised guidelines, issued on 15 April, had allowed the phased lifting of curbs on several sectors from 20 April.

The restrictions were imposed by the MHA on 25 March after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide Coronavirus lockdown that began on 24 March midnight.

On 14 April, PM Modi had announced the extension of the lockdown till 3 May.

On Friday (17 April), the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had asked the NHAI to prepare for resuming the toll operations. The ministry had noted that user fee collection contributes to the government exchequers besides providing financial strength to the NHAI in terms of budgetary support.

According to the report, the NHAI had to incur a liability of around Rs 1,110 crore for non-operation of toll plazas for the period between 25 March and 19 April.

However, the truck operators have opposed the NHAI decision to resume toll operations.

In a statement issued on Monday (20 April), the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) said that there was ‘complete chaos amid unclear policy guidelines at ground level.”

“Starting of toll at this point in time is a bad decision,” the statement said, adding that it meant acute pressure on the transport fraternity in the country.