Dibrugarh: The Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Parishad (AJYP) has demanded that toll collection at toll plazas across the state be suspended until the construction and development of national highways are completed, dilapidated roads are properly repaired, and essential facilities for road users are ensured.
In a press statement, the organisation’s Central President Ujjal Kumar Chutia and General Secretary Udayan Kumar Gogoi alleged that toll plazas have been established and tolls collected from the public in Assam by disregarding existing rules and regulations as well as public interest.
The organisation also raised serious questions regarding the legality, location and regulatory procedures governing toll plazas established at various locations across the state, from Sadiya to Dhubri and from Dhemaji to the Srirampur border.
According to the Yuva Parishad, under the applicable road transport regulations, proper construction, development and maintenance of roads, along with essential facilities for road users, are important prerequisites before toll collection is undertaken.
However, the organisation alleged that toll collection continues on several national highways in the state even though construction work remains incomplete or the condition of the roads is poor.
Referring particularly to the Jorhat–Moran stretch of National Highway 37, along with several other roads across the state, the organisation alleged that construction and development works are yet to be completed.
Despite the poor condition of certain stretches and inadequate maintenance, tolls are being regularly collected from road users, it alleged.
The leaders termed the alleged failure to fulfil responsibilities relating to road construction and maintenance while continuing to collect tolls from the public as a glaring example of the government’s “double standards.”
The Yuva Parishad further stated that essential public services such as first-aid facilities, emergency rescue services, ambulances and toilets should be adequately ensured for road users before toll collection is undertaken.
However, the organisation alleged that such basic facilities are either inadequate or unavailable at several locations even though toll collection continues.
The organisation also alleged that adequate emergency assistance is not available when vehicles break down near toll plazas or run out of fuel. According to the Yuva Parishad, the system appears to remain active primarily for the purpose of collecting tolls, while adequate assistance to road users is often lacking.
The organisation also questioned why roads for which tolls are regularly collected from the public are not being repaired and maintained on time.
It further alleged that toll plazas have not adequately publicised toll-free complaint numbers through which road users can easily lodge complaints regarding irregularities or alleged illegal toll collection.
The Yuva Parishad also questioned the location of the Raha toll plaza, stating that statutory restrictions relating to the establishment of toll plazas in proximity to urban areas should be strictly followed.
The organisation also referred to earlier statements made by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
The Yuva Parishad claimed that the minister had stated in Parliament that there should not be more than one toll plaza within a distance of 60 kilometres and had assured that additional toll plazas would be closed.
Therefore, the organisation demanded that the concerned authorities take action in accordance with the rules wherever more than one toll plaza exists within a 60-kilometre radius.
The organisation alleged that due to the poor condition of national highways, lack of timely repairs and alleged negligence of the government and concerned authorities towards road safety, ordinary people are being forced to risk their lives while travelling on the roads every day.
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Referring to a recent road accident in which eight innocent people reportedly lost their lives due to poor road conditions, the organisation said that such incidents highlight the alarming state of road safety.
“If revenue collection becomes a higher priority for the government than saving human lives, questions will inevitably arise over the government’s accountability to the people,” the Yuva Parishad leaders remarked.
The Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Parishad has therefore demanded that toll collection at the concerned toll plazas be suspended until the construction and development of national highways are completed, dilapidated roads are scientifically repaired, and adequate basic and emergency facilities are ensured for road users.
The organisation also demanded that the government and concerned authorities publicly disclose the legality, distance between toll plazas, locations, progress of road construction and the statutory basis for toll collection at every toll plaza in the state.
It further called for an accessible and toll-free grievance redressal mechanism to enable members of the public to lodge complaints easily.