By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 20: The NHAI toll plaza at Umling along the Umiam-Jorabat Expressway has, of late, garnered quite some attention after a video of an altercation between a staff and driver over toll fees made rounds on the social media; but much seems amiss with the toll plaza, where illegalities have apparently taken the spotlight.
Since the video, commercial drivers, who pass through the tollgate every day, have alleged that a series of financial irregularities allegedly take place at the government establishment.
One such tourist taxi driver, who had FASTag registration, told The Shillong Times that he was not stopped while going to Guwahati recently and that everything went on perfectly until he returned. En route to Shillong, the driver was asked to stop and told that his FASTag was not functioning.
According to him, the attendant at the toll plaza directed the driver to pay Rs 180 officially. However, if he wanted, he could be allowed to pass through by just paying Rs 100 and without receipt.
Another tourist taxi driver admitted that occasionally he does not even pay the toll tax but only Rs 50 to some boys who are seen near the toll plaza, following which he passes using the VIP lane.
Time and again, questions have been raised as to who are these people that are always seen at the toll gate.
When contacted, a senior official at the NHAI said that road users should download the FASTag app and ensure that there is sufficient balance in their FASTag cards. If these conditions are fulfilled, nobody would be able to stop their vehicle, he said.
Informing that the CCTV camera at the toll plaza is active, the official alleged that some people, under the guise of NGOs and headmen, are creating nuisance, especially involving the VIP lane, and attempting to take advantage of the situation.
“Even I have come to know about these things,” the official said, while adding that all these issues will be discussed in NHAI’s meeting with Chief Secretary MS Rao on Monday.
He also stated that unlike other states, Assam and Meghalaya are not insisting people to register with FASTag, which is leading to certain hiccups.
However, in future, the Motor Vehicles Act will be amended to make FASTag mandatory, he added.
