Despite opposition from various organisations including Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) on Sunday reopened the Raha toll gate on National Highway 37 in Central Assam’s Nagaon district.
The toll gate remained closed since 2018 because of protests from various organisations, mainly the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS).
Alok Kumar, regional officer (RO), North-East Zone, NHAI, said a private company has been given the contract of toll collection.
Kumar said after three months cashless payment mechanism (FASTag) will be launched at the toll gate for collection of fee.
According to a NHAI notification, the four wheeler private vehicles will have to pay Rs 95 for one way and Rs 140 for both ways while the commercial vehicles will be charged Rs 150 for one way and Rs 225 for both ways.
Bus and trucks will have to pay Rs 315 and 470 in one way and both ways respectively at the toll plaza.
Puja was performed before the reopening of the toll gate and security was beefed up as several organisation threatened to launch protest opposing the NHAI’s decision to reopen it.
The AJYCP reiterated its opposition to government’s decision to reopen the Roha toll gate, saying the construction of the highway is still incomplete.
“The construction of NH37 is incomplete. There is no side protection on the highway. There are no trees on the dividers,” AJYCP general secretary Palash Changmai had said.
Earlier on January 31, the NHAI opened the Bijni toll gate on National Highway 31 in lower Assam’s Chirang district, which remained closed since 2015.