Keonjhar, Oct 18: Even as toll collection at Bonajodi toll plaza in Keonjhar district remains controversial, the Orissa High Court has issued show-cause notice to the district administration, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the toll collecting agency.
A report said, the NHAI has allowed two toll gates to operate on National Highway-20 in violation of the existing distance norms. The distance between the two toll gates—one at Khantaghar and another at Bonajodi –should be 65 km, but this norm has been violated.
Locals Rudranarayan Mishra and Debasish Patnaik had strongly opposed the setting up of a toll plaza at Bonajodi under Sadar block. Mishra and Patnaik had moved a writ petition (20869/2-17) in the High Court in this regard.
Besides, a toll gate should not be allowed to operate within a distance of 6 km from a township.
Bonajodi toll gate also violates the distance norms, it was alleged.
The HC admitted the petition and issued a show cause notice September 26 to the district collector, the project director of NHAI and general manager of toll collecting agency Sai Maa Tarini Toll Plaza over the issue.
According to reports, the highway work was not completed but the NHAI had allowed toll collection through its authorised agencies. Various organisations, bus operators, and heavy vehicle owners had opposed the toll collection several times in the past. Despite that, toll collection was going on.
NHAI project director A Hardas said he has not yet received the HC notice. PNN
