After the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) imposed a fine of Rs 2128.72 crore on the Paliyekkara toll contracting company for breach of contract, District Congress Committee (DCC) vice-president and Zilla Panchayat opposition leader Advocate Joseph Tajet has demanded that the government should intervene in the company’s move to hike toll rates. He said that there are preparations to hike toll rates from September 1. In a press conference, he said this should not be allowed, and the government should stop the toll company’s move.
He said he had written a letter to Minister Mohammed Riyas, PWD Secretary and Collector, regarding this demand. He said that the company had been fined such a huge amount because of exposing the frequent breach of contract by the company. He said that per the agreement, the fee can be increased yearly on September 1. For this, the contracting company has to submit a recommendation to NHAI 45 days in advance. He said that it should be calculated based on the wholesale price index, and NHAI should approve it.
He said a penalty of Rs 2128.72 crore has been imposed for breach of contract till June 30. He said a legal notice had been served on NHAI seeking disallowance of a rate hike for not completing the works mentioned in the agreement and not implementing the recommendations of the safety audit report despite NHAI initiating action to blacklist the company and exclude it from the agreement.
The remedial instructions, such as overbridges, underpasses, U-turn tracks, signboards, etc., recommended at high and severe accident-prone areas at around 50 junctions, including 11 black spots, pointed out in the safety audit conducted in November 2022, have not been implemented yet. Underpasses have been sanctioned, and work has been started only at five black spots: Ambalur, Perambra, Muringur, Koratty, and Chirangara.
He said a case was filed in the Kerala High Court last year seeking disallowance of a rate hike without completing all other works, which is still pending. He said the petition filed to stay this year’s rate hike may be heard this week. Regarding the 2018 rate hike, the petition was disposed of based on an affidavit stating that all the work had been completed.
However, he said documents received under the Right to Information show that the work has not been completed, which is a severe lapse. He said documents show that Rs 1412.45 crore was recovered by June 30, and 42,000 vehicles pass through the plaza daily, earning Rs 53 lakh, so the government should not allow the company to exploit the public.
