Editor,
Through your esteemed publication, I wish to draw attention to the deplorable condition of GS Road, which continues to remain poorly maintained despite being a toll road. Commuters pay substantial toll charges with the expectation of safe, well-maintained infrastructure. Unfortunately, potholes, broken signage, and inadequate drainage have made travel hazardous and inconvenient.
Under the National Highways Act, 1956 (Sections 5, 6, and 8A) and the Model Concession Agreement, the toll operator is legally obligated to ensure proper upkeep of the road. Collecting toll without fulfilling this duty amounts to a breach of contract and statutory provisions. The concessionaire is not merely a collector of revenue but a custodian of public safety and service standards.
In the recent past the Courts too have taken cognizance of the issue. For instance in a landmark case in Kerala, NHAI & Anr. v. O.J. Janeesh & Ors. (SC, 18 Aug 2025) the rights of toll paying commuters was reaffirmed.
The Kerala High Court had suspended tolls at Paliyekkara (NH-544, Edappally–Mannuthy) due to severe potholes, congestion, and safety risks. The Supreme Court too affirmed this suspension and introduced the principle of “no service, no toll” stating that toll rights are tied to safe, motorable roads. It also noted that toll collection during neglect undermines public trust and equates to unfair taxation. It also acknowledged that that commuters already pay taxes, and collecting extra tolls while conditions deteriorate is impermissible.
I urge the concerned authorities and the toll operator to take immediate corrective measures. If they fail, enforcement agencies must intervene, impose penalties, and even consider termination of the concession agreement. Citizens deserve accountability when public money is involved.
Yours etc.,
Sanjeeb Kakoty
Via email
Weakening Electoral System and Political Parties
Editor,
In recent elections across several states, the country has witnessed multiple violations of electoral guidelines. Transparency, which is the foundation of a healthy democracy, appears to be fading. On the other hand, opposition parties seem to lack self-introspection and effective strategies. The Election Commission too has raised concerns among citizens due to some of its actions, which many believe have created doubts in the public mind. For the people of a democratic republic, voting is the most important tool through which they choose their representatives. If this right is compromised, or if the electoral process lacks transparency, citizens cannot be confident that the leaders elected are truly the ones they voted for. The frequent changes in rules that previously ensured transparency also raise questions and create suspicion about hidden motives. Opposition parties must fulfil their responsibilities by correcting their own mistakes, learning from past experiences, and actively working to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. Strengthening the electoral system is essential for safeguarding democracy.
Yours etc.,
Arshad Bastavi,
Mumbai
ONE: A structural response to systemic neglect
Editor,
The editorial “One: A Bold Move” (ST 29, November 2025) is striking because it frames the One North East (ONE) movement not just as another regional alliance, but as a structural response to systemic neglect. ONE is less about short-term electoral gains and more about redefining federalism from the periphery inward. By uniting leaders across Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, and beyond, ONE is building a new axis of symbolic capital. It is saying our voices matter collectively, not as fragmented appendages of national parties. The Manipur ethnic conflict (2023) and the Centre’s slow response are presented at the turning point. The editorial rightly suggests that unresolved trauma and displacement have crystallized the need for a common platform. From Tripura’s land rights to Naga peace process, the editorial highlights how decades of unfulfilled agreements have eroded trust. ONE positions itself as the corrective. The editorial is essentially arguing that ONE is both pragmatic and symbolic: pragmatic in pooling regional strength to negotiate with Delhi, symbolic in asserting dignity and agency for indigenous communities. It is bold because it challenges the status quo of national parties using regional outfits as proxies, and instead insists on direct representation of regional priorities.
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh
Via email
