PWD to take over toll plaza due to unpaid royalty

The Public Works Department has decided to immediately scrap the pact with a firm operating a toll plaza on the Jagraon-Nakodar road for failing to repair the stretch and deposit royalty to the government.

The department will also recover from the operator Rs 19.43 crore, including royalty dues and the fine for delaying the repair work. The department will operate the toll plaza.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann recently.

The firm had earlier sought an extension of the concession period to pay the royalty till September 2028 from May 11, 2027 at present.

The demand was made citing losses suffered on account of the non-operation of the toll plaza during the Covid lockdown and the farmers’ protest against the Centre for a minimum support price of crops.

However, the government turned down the request.

Sources said the toll plaza operator was issued a preliminary notice regarding the lapses in December 2023.

Despite the notice, the operator failed to complete the pending work and deposit the balance royalty during the 60-day period given to it to make the payment.

After consulting the Advocate General (AG), it was pointed out that despite being given sufficient time and opportunities, the operator did not show interest in completing the repair work and deposit the royalty.

The state government has so far closed 18 toll plazas on 590 km of state highways, resulting in a daily saving of Rs 61.67 lakh for commuters.

Officials said in August last year, the state had closed two toll plazas on the Patiala-Nabha-Malerkotla stretch.

The state government has been maintaining that the closing toll plazas is a significant step towards providing economic relief to people and ensuring smooth and trouble-free traffic movement on roads.