Parwanoo toll barrier gutted ; Rs 7 lakh loss reported

A Parwanoo-based toll tax barrier was gutted in blaze, which spread from a Duster car that abruptly caught fire, while its occupants had stopped to pay toll around 5.30 am this morning. The occupants of the car bearing a Haryana registration number had a close shave as they managed to let go of the blazing vehicle in time after appearance of smoke alerted them. The car was heading from Ambala to Shimla.

A major portion of the barrier was destroyed in fire, while its staff managed to save themselves. Loss worth Rs 7 lakh was suffered in the mishap, while property valued around Rs 15 lakh was retrieved due to timely intervention of the firemen.

A crew of five firemen rushed to the spot after receiving information along with one fire tender from Parwanoo. They doused the flames after three hours, informed Santosh Sharma, Commandant, Home Guards, Solan. The state high court has already expressed concern over significant traffic congestion at the said barrier where only a few lanes are operational. Traffic chaos peaks during the weekends, especially during the summers.

The fire incident has exposed the shoddy toll collection point where corrective measures are required to ensure safety of the staff and vehicles.