GUWAHATI: The National Highways Authority of India has denied claims of 29 state organisations that the Raha toll gate was “illegal” and has sought the Nagaon district administration’s support for smooth collection of toll tax, even as the facility remained temporarily shut till Tuesday.
In a letter addressed to the Assam chief secretary on Monday, NHAI stated that according to Section 9 of the National Highways Act, 1956 and the National Highways (Rate of Fees) Rules, 1997, a toll plaza could be established within the municipal or town area limits or within a distance of five kilometers from such limits.
“Provided further that where a section of national highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel as the case may be is constructed within the municipal or town area limits or within five kilometers from such limits, primarily for the residents of such municipal or town area, the toll plaza may be established within the municipal area limits or within a distance of five kilometers from such limits,” the letter stated quoting the portion of the rule to justify NHAI’s claim.
The letter, available to the media on Tuesday morning, was apparently in response to the memorandum submitted by the United Forum of All Jatiya and Ethnic Organisations of Assam after a public protest was staged against the Raha toll gate on Sunday.
The organisations had through the memorandum demanded closure of the toll gate, alleging  that the authorities had by setting up the facility violated the guidelines of the National Highways Fees (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. The rule, they claimed, stated that no toll plaza could be constructed within 10 km from a town or municipality area.
The NHAI had on Sunday suspended functioning of the toll gate for 24 hours following protests and demands for its closure by the organisations.
NHAI project director (Nagaon PIU), Alok Kumar, confirmed that the communication was sent to the chief secretary on Monday.
“Operations at the toll plaza have remained suspended since Sunday. The organisations will be meeting the Nagaon deputy commissioner and NHAI officials shortly to discuss the matter,” Kumar told The Shillong Times on Tuesday afternoon.
