Toll plazas on NH-44 suffer Rs 550-cr loss

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, November 22

With toll plazas being closed since December 25, 2020, owing to the ongoing agitation against the three farm laws, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and toll plaza companies have suffered huge losses.

‘Extend contract’

Sources say the toll companies are approaching the National Highway Authority of India to extend their contract due to no business in the past 11 months owing to the farmers’ agitation.

Despite PM Narendra Modi announcing the repeal of the laws, farmers’ unions have decided to stay put at Delhi borders and toll plazas till the next decision.

As per sources, the toll companies and NHAI have experienced a loss of around Rs 550 crore so far on the four toll plazas situated on NH-44 in Ambala, Karnal, Panipat and Sonepat districts. Of them, three toll plazas on this stretch in Ambala, Karnal, and Panipat have suffered a loss of over Rs 400 crore.

The sources claimed that the maximum loss has been suffered at the Bastara toll plaza. The daily collection at the toll plaza was Rs 65-70 lakh and has suffered a loss amounting to Rs 200 crore. The collection of Sambhu toll barrier in Ambala district was Rs 40-45 lakh per day and it has experienced a loss of around Rs 130 crore. The average collection of Panipat toll plaza was around Rs 20-25 lakh per day and so far, it has witnessed a loss of around Rs 70 crore.

“The NHAI Ambala zone has three toll plazas on NH-44 — Sambhu, Bastara and Panipat. These three toll plazas have suffered a loss of around Rs 400 crore so far,” said Virender Singh, project director, NHAI, Ambala.

Apart from these toll plazas, the toll plaza in Murthal in Sonepat district experienced losses of around Rs 150 crore so far, the sources in the NHAI said.

Apart from Bastara toll plaza, Peont toll plaza on NH-709A was made free for commuters. The average toll collection at the plaza was Rs 2 lakh and has suffered a loss of around Rs 6 crore. The toll plazas at the KMP and KGP Expressway have also been free for commuters, causing losses to the NHAI and toll companies.

Sources further stated that the Dighal toll plaza on the Rohtak-Jhajjar road, Rewari toll plaza at Gannga Chai Ahir villages had a toll collection of around Rs 15 lakh and Rs 12 lakh, respectively, daily.

Sources say the toll companies are approaching the NHAI to extend their contract due to no business in the past 11 months.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.