Remove Sarore Plaza for not fulfilling provisions of Toll, NHAI Acts: Ajatshatru Singh

JAMMU: Former Transport Minister and senior BJP leader Ajatshatru Singh on Sunday sought immediate removal of Sarore Toll Plaza citing shortcomings in fulfilling the provisions of Toll Tax Act as well as NHAI Act.

In a statement issued to media persons, the former minister, giving references of the Toll Tax Act and NHAI Act, claimed that NHAI cannot realize toll tax until the taxed road stretch is clear for traffic without any diversions or hindrance in the movement of traffic.

He also pointed out that toll plazas situated on different highways set-up by the NHAI provide certain basic amenities as per the provision of NHAI Act like public convenience and snack bars besides retiring room and first aid facilities but the one established in Sarore lacks all these facilities becoming the fit case of ceasing the operations henceforth.

The senior BJP leader asserted that the concerned ministries at the Centre should take cognizance and remove this tax collecting facility with immediate effect because the road falling under its jurisdiction disqualifies on several accounts as the traffic movement on this stretch is full of hindrances and also road diversion due to damage caused to Tarnah Bridge near Chadwal Morh village after last month’s flash floods.

Ajatshatru Singh asked the government to go by the rules and disallow the concerned authority from collecting cess until all provisions of Toll Tax Act were restored and the plaza established is upgraded with all the requisite facilities.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)