Govt tightens norms on toll plazas near cities, frequent intervals

NEW DELHI: Facing flak over toll plazas being installed at distances of less than 60 km and on the outskirts of municipal areas, the road transport ministry has directed highway agencies not to put up such proposals for approval and ensure that toll plazas are set up beyond 10 km of municipal boundaries.As per the NH Fee Rules, user fee collection points must be at least 60 km apart and located beyond 10 km of municipal limits. However, a “majority of fee notification proposals”, the ministry said, seek relaxation of these norms, prompting it to reiterate the guidelines in a recent circular.Directing the highway agencies to ensure strict implementation, the ministry has highlighted that provisions related to user fee plaza are considered at the time of technical approval of the project and should be included as a specific agenda item in the note circulated for appraisals, “explicitly indicating compliance” with the NH fee norms.“...in cases where deviation from the provisions becomes unavoidable, and there is no alternative but to establish a fee plaza in contravention of the said Rules, the proposed location of the fee plaza, along with detailed justification for situating it within 60 km of an existing/planned fee plaza or within 10 km of the nearest municipal limit, must be brought out before the respective appraisal committee and duly recorded in writing,” the circular said.

MPs from different political parties have been raising these issues through questions in Parliament.The ministry said that while submitting proposals for commencing toll collection on existing highways where toll plazas are located at a gap of less than 60 km and within 10 km of municipal boundaries, the authorities must provide a copy of approval by competent authorities, like the minister, ministry or the Cabinet.