NH7 toll scam draws road user ire

Times of India: Nagpur: Wednesday, 24 December 2014.

Senior BJP leader and MLC Shobhatai Fadnavis expose of irregularities in NH7 toll collection between Mansar and Borkhedi has received shot in the arm with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) backing her and demanding closure of toll nakas on the highway. TOI report on Tuesday also evoked strong reactions with road-users demanding immediate action in the matter.

Documents procured under the RTI Act by Fadnavis exposed role of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials, who allegedly passed undue favours to concessionaire Oriental Nagpur Bypass Construction Pvt Ltd (ONBPL) in NH7 work. On Tuesday, angry drivers were reluctant to pay toll tax at nakas on the stretch. Deputy general manager of Oriental Prashant Bargi denied the allegations but said the issue would take time to sort out at a proper forum and it was too early to comment on several issues until then.

Papers show total cost of the 95km project at Rs 1,170.52 crore but actual expenditure at Rs 734.37 crore. Company constructed only 58km road. It spent Rs 393.01 crore while balance Rs 341.36 crore was released by the government. The company figure of toll collection was Rs 255 crore assuming 9,000-12,000 number of per car units (PCUs) using it each day. However, NHAI surveys indicated 32,000 (PCUs) using it daily with Oriental having collected Rs 600 crore. Hence, it collected excess toll of Rs 355 crore.

On Tuesday, Fadnavis reiterated that already cost has been over-recovered and toll collection should be stopped immediately. State vice-president of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Hemant Gadkari stated the senior BJP leader's expose had vindicated MNS stand against illegal collection of toll in entire state.

"We had raised voice against illegal toll collection and incomplete works on NH7 twice but faced arrest. Many people died due to incomplete structure here. We don't understand why leaders and officials are so submissive to Oriental. The loot of public money should stop," said Gadkari.

Milind Gadre of Shree Travels said though toll was borne by customers, it was taxing. "Oriental is collecting toll for the 22km road under PWD maintenance. Why should we pay for it? Central government should inquire into the role of NHAI officials and punish them for the loot of public money," Gadre demanded.

Young naturalist Shrikant Deshpande said Fadnavis expose was just tip of the iceberg. All other deals with Oriental should be probed. "On the entire NH7 stretch mandatory rainwater harvesting has not been done. Compensatory tree plantation on roadside is virtually zero. There is complete violation of environment norms. Instead of following the norms, NHAI is always in a hurry to start toll booths so that the concessionaire is benefited," said Deshpande.