Toll collection suspended at Baloh, Garamora plazas on Kiratpur– Manali highway

In view of the incessant rainfall and frequent landslides, toll fee collection at two barriers at toll plaza at Baloh and Garamora on the Kiratpur– Manali highway has been suspended for one month.

Rajesh Dharmani, Minister Technical Education, had requested Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to order stoppage of collection of toll fee to give relief to the disaster-affected people of the state. The minister said that when major stretches of the highway remain partially or fully blocked, it is not justified to charge toll fees from commuters. He advocated that toll collection be suspended in the larger public interest. Dharmani said that the Chief Minister had assured that the issue would be taken up with the NHAI and other concerned departments.

Meanwhile, Rahul Kumar, Deputy Commissioner and chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, issued orders under Section 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and suspended toll collection at Baloh and Garamora toll plazas with immediate effect for a period of one month.

Rahul Kumar said that falling boulders and repeated blockages have disrupted vehicular movement, leaving commuters stranded for hours without access to essential facilities such as food, drinking water, etc. In such circumstances, the suspension of toll fee collection was enforced in the interest of public.