2 private firms terminate 'concession pact' with National Highways Authority of India

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, December 18

Two private companies — Rohtak-Panipat Tollway Private Limited (RPTPL) and Kurukshetra Expressway Private Limited (KEPL) — have terminated their concession agreement with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the clause of force majeure.

2 more booths to resume ops soon

Every toll collection firm has the right to terminate the concession pact after fulfilling the terms laid down under the force majeure clause. Meanwhile, the Makrauli and Dahar booths are likely to start the ops in three-four days as the system is being upgraded. Hanuman Sangwan, NHAI Project Director

The forceful suspension of toll collection during the farmers’ agitation is believed to be the reason behind the development.

Meanwhile, the toll booths at Makrauli and Dahar on the Rohtak-Panipat highway, operated by the RPTPL earlier, are yet to be operational. Also, the NHAI has deputed its own workers at the toll booths in Dighal (Jhajjar) and Gangaachai Ahir (Rewari) on the Rohtak-Rewari highway, which was being operated by the KEPL earlier.

Sources said a total of Rs 10 lakh per day as toll tax was being collected at the Dighal booth while the collection was Rs 12 lakh at the Gangaachai Ahir barrier. The operations were suspended at the Dighal toll booth on December 25 last year after farmers of nearby villages camped there in support of their protest while the Gangaachai

Ahir booth remained shut from September 27 to December 12 this year.

Bijendra Tiwari, general manager, KEPL, said the Dighal and Gangaachai Ahir booths were being controlled by the NHAI after they had terminated their concession agreement due to the suspension of the toll collection during the farm stir. “Now, workers appointed by the NHAI are collecting tax at both the booths,” he added.

Moreover, despite lifting of the dharna by the farmers on December 15, the shutting of Makrauli and Dahar booths continues to cheer the commuters as no toll is being charged from them.

“The toll rates at both the booths is much higher than others hence we are enjoying free rides till it lasts. The situation is likely to remain the same for the next few days too,” said Parveen Tondwal, a local.