 Nitesh Sangral
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 8: Recently made functional, the toll plaza established by National Higher Authority of India (NHAI) at Bantalab is looting the road users with impunity, as operators/ collectors are over-charging against the fixed taxes.
However, the NHAI authorities claimed that the toll plaza has been sublet to a private firm, Eagle Infra India Ltd, and the company is charging genuine tax. Pritam, a road user who has witnessed malpractice of tax collectors, while his visit to Udhampur, told Early Times that he was going to Udhampur, tax collectors at toll plaza charged Rs. 75 and same amount was charged when he was returning. "One has to pay Rs 150, if one visits Udhmapur for several hours", he said. "Registration slips are not being properly filled by the tax collectors, it reflects something fishy, such tactics are being used to fleecing innocent people," he narrated. Interestingly, except tax collectors, no senior officials from NHAI could be seen at the toll plaza.
Mukesh, another road user said, there should be free passes for those who are residing in surrounding of the toll plaza. "The commuters, who go for a kilometer through toll plaza, have to pay taxes, since there is no other option, we are forced to pay", he added.
Former MLA Udhampur, Balwant Singh Mankoita said, "we have taken matter with higher authorities of NHAI as well as held protest against the overcharging of road users by the operated company, "he stated. Being inquired about the complaints of road users, Regional Officer RP Singh, Jammu said the rate list has been made available to the company. "Rs 35 has been fixed as user charges, no one can overcharge from the users. If they found overcharging action will take against them, "he stated. |
