Jajpur: Even though three years have passed since the state government’s order directing to shift the Panikoili and Srirampur toll plazas in the district, nothing has been implemented on the ground as of yet, a report said. Moreover, there are four toll plazas within hundred kilometres distance on NH-16, NH-53 (Chandikhole-Paradip) and NH-20 (Panikoili-Keonjhar).
The then state transport commissioner in a letter (11063, Dated- 19.07.2016) asked the Works Secretary to shift the Manguli toll plaza to Bandalo in Jajpur district, Panikoili toll plaza to Akhuapada in Bhadrak district and Srirampur toll plaza to Marshaghai in Kendrapara district. The commissioner issued the order after it was found that the two toll plazas, functioning on NH-16, are within a range of 52 kilometres which is in complete violation of rules.
The delay in shifting has only emboldened the consultancy agencies managing the two toll plazas to carry out their illegal collection of toll amounting to crore per day with impunity, it is alleged.
Moreover, toll collection is going on despite there are no automatic boom barrier in these two toll plazas.
A boom barrier, also known as a boom gate, is a bar, or pole pivoted to allow the boom to block vehicular or pedestrian access through a controlled point.
This has come at a time when the state government wants the administration to function on the principle of 5Ts. The hefty collection of toll has sparked resentment among the vehicle owners which has often led to nasty face-off between the toll employees and the commuters.
It is alleged that the toll officials are carrying out such illegal business in connivance with some unscrupulous officials of the district administration, local political leaders and some vested interest groups.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) informed in November, 2018 that the Panikoili toll plaza will be shifted to Akhuapada during the expansion of the 74.5-km stretch of the highway from Chandikhole to Bhadrak. However, due to alleged kickbacks and political influence used by the toll plaza authorities the NHAI decision could not be implemented.
The six laning of the Chandikhole-Bhadrak stretch of the highway is nearing completion. However, the authorities are not making any efforts to shift the toll plaza to Akhuapada, it is alleged.
According to NHAI guidelines, the distance between one toll plaza and another should be a minimum of 60 km. However, there are four toll plazas within hundred kilometres distance on NH-16, NH-53 (Chandikhole-Paradip) and NH-20 (Panikoili-Keonjhar).
Among them Panikoili and Srirampur toll plazas are functioning in Jajpur district. Moreover, the Panikoili and Manguli toll plazas on NH-16 are placed at a distance of only 52 km apart. These two toll plazas contribute several lakhs of rupees as toll money per day.
A person from Bhubaneswar wishing to visit the Tarini temple at Ghatagaon in Keonjhar district has to pay toll fee thrice; once each at Manguli, Panikoili and Anandapur toll plazas.
The anomalies in toll fee collection have sparked resentment among the people and commuters on the highway.
It is alleged that the agencies managing the toll plazas fear that the shifting might result in revenue loss for which they are opposing the decision and have managed to put off the decision with the help of an influential political person in the area.
When contacted, Nageshwar Rao, project director of NHAI in Balasore, said that the construction of the toll plaza at Akhuapada will start after the rainy season is over and the Panikoili toll plaza will be shifted there after a year.
