NHAI contradicts its own norms by setting 4 toll plazas within radius of 160 kilometers in Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 7, 2021

In contrary to its own norms of maintaining a distance a sixty kilometers between two toll plazas, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) set up a record of four toll plazas within a radius of 160 kilometers in the State of Meghalaya and this is broad daylight robbery by NHAI, according to Joint Action Committee Chairman Nehemayah Tyngkan

He told reporters after the meeting of the JAC comprising the Jaintia Hills Truck Owners Association (JHTOA) and Jaintia Hills Clinkers & Cement Association (JHCCA) on Saturday at Phramer, West Jaintia Hills District.

Tyngkan elaborated that within a radius of 160 kilometers there are four toll plazas namely at Lumshnong, East Jaintia Hills District, Pasyih, West Jaintia Hills District, Diengpasoh, East Khasi Hills District and Pahammawlein, Ri Bhoi District and motorists have to pay each time they pass through any toll plaza.  

The JAC Chairman informed that the meeting opposed the implementation of FASTag after receiving complaints from general public and they will convene a special meeting to take a final call on whether to demand for the scrapping of FASTag or decrease the number of toll plazas from four to two in the stretch of 160 kilometers.

He also said that only ten percent of motorists in Meghalaya have taken FASTag while the remaining are not aware on how FASTag works or have not taken FASTag thereby leading to payment of double fees during entry through the toll plaza.

On the other hand, the President of JHTOA Nidamon Chulet said that the JAC will embark on the path of agitation to pressurize the cement factories to restore the transportation of 10000 tons of cement per month from the present 250 tons at the Meghalaya Government rate of Rs. 7 per tons per kilometers.

He informed that earlier the cement factories issued order for transportation of 2000 tons per Godown per month and there are five godowns in Meghalaya located in Ri Bhoi but now suddenly they reduced to 50 tons per godown per month and this has left the truckers of Meghalaya high and dry.