CHENNAI: The Centre’s decision to increase toll fee from 8 to 12 per cent in all national highways across the country from April 1 (Friday) has come in for flak from traders, lorry owners and vendors in Tamil Nadu.
DMK president M. Karunanidhi and PMK founder S. Ramadoss criticised the Centre for periodically revising toll rates through private agents. Ramadoss described the annual revision of toll charges as 'daylight robbery'. "The hike will have maximum impact on car owners.
A national highways official said there were 22 toll plazas in the state and the rates would be increased in a phased manner as per agreement.
Meanwhile, members of All India Motor Congress, South India Motor Transport Association (SIMTA) and Tamil Nadu Lorry Owners' Association (TNLOA) have warned they would resort to an indefinite strike if the hike is not rolled back.
SIMTA will convene a meeting here on April 3 and is likely to strike work the same day. Similarly TNLOA has convened its executive to announce the next course of action.
"There is a clause that if the vehicle ratio increases by five per cent, then the toll rates should not be raised; but for some reason, officials and politicos are not adhering to this agreement", said J. Raj, a wholesale trader at Parry's corner who owns a dozen lorries. Private toll agents are minting money and this will escalate the cost of essential commodities, he said.
M Karunanidhi asks Centre to stop hike in rates
DMK chief M. Karunandihi on Thursday condemned the rise in toll rates and urged the Centre to interfere and stop the hike.
“The benefits of toll charges are being enjoyed by private companies who keep the toll gates without doing anything to maintain the roads”, he said in a statement here. He said middle-class families and traders are affected severely by toll charges and the increase in charges is an unnecessary move.
He recalled the nation-wide strike of lorry owners on October 8 demanding cancellation of toll rates. Though the Centre did not accept their demand, it announced that toll gates would be removed gradually. Increasing the toll rates will lead to resentment among lorry owners, Karunanidhi said.
The vehicle owners will be affected and the prices of essential commodities will go up, he said. Of the 350 toll gates in the country, 44 are situated in Tamil Nadu, he pointed out and added that the rise in toll rates would be 12 per cent in 18 toll gates in the state.
