Toll plazas were among the first few businesses to be affected by the Centre's decision to junk Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes
The chaos at toll plazas and the subsequent anger of motorists made the Union government suspend fee collection on all booths at National Highways till the midnight of November 11.
"We have issued instructions to suspend collection of fees on all toll plazas on National Highways till November 11 midnight," Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said in the National Capital.
The government, he said, had earlier decided that the withdrawn Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes would be accepted at plazas till November 11 midnight but that lead to chaos in the absence of adequate change, causing massive traffic jams.
"We reviewed the situation and decided to suspend the collection of fees," the minister said. On being asked as to how the government plans to tackle the loss arising out of the non-collection of fee, Gadkari said government will bear it.
Toll plazas were among the first few businesses to be affected by the Centre's decision to junk Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. From late Tuesday night, toll booth attendants refused to accept cash in the denominations of Rs500 and Rs1,000, the staff also insisted on paying the toll amount and were not allowing motorists to drive past. Those with daily or monthly passes and ETC tags were able to cross the booths without any hassles.
Due to change-related problem, there were unusually long traffic snarls at toll plazas not only in Mumbai, but all across India. Not only individual motorists were affected on Wednesday, but even truckers had a tough time in paying up toll on the highways.
"The transport sector is highly unorganised, and 85 per cent of its operational cost is cash based. The transport fraternity of India has been caught unawares with the decision resulting in acute financial crunch and unrest, which of course has not been taken into consideration while formulating this move. As the reports trickle in there have been reports of harassment of the truckers at various toll plazas and dhabas where Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes are not being accepted. The frantic call from the transport fraternity is a serious issue. The much touted e-tolling has not been successful," said Bal Malkit Singh from All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC).
This move resulted in industrial product deliveries getting affected and perishable goods going bad, unless appropriate measures taken, truck repairs getting stuck, etc.
Immediately after the Centre's announcement, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis too made a similar announcement pertaining to state highways and toll posts in Mumbai. He tweeted, "Government of Maharashtra decides that all state roads will be toll tax free till 11th November midnight. This includes all the tolls in Mumbai (entry points and within Mumbai) and Maharashtra."
DNA approached the infrastructure companies operating toll plazas were approached by DNA for reaction, but none responded to the queries about the financial losses that will be made during these couple of days.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Chairman Raghav Chandra had taken up the matter with the Prime Minister's Office after being flooded by calls from states over the grim situation.
—With agency inputs
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