Centre decided Sarore toll post location, rates: NHAI

Putting all speculation to rest and an embarrassment for the state BJP, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on Tuesday said, “The rollback of toll plaza at Sarore is not on cards as its location and rates have been decided by the Central government”.

Amid continued demand for the closure of the new toll plaza on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway and shutdown call given by transporters in Samba and Kathua district, Project Director, NHAI, Ajay Kumar Rajak said the toll plaza was opened and operated as per rules of the Central government.

“It was a decision of the Central government as per the norms governing national highways in India. Within the next few months the toll post will be expanded with construction of two new lanes by widening road,” said Rajak.

Accepting that the installation of the toll plaza was made in haste on October 11, Rajak said, “People were not mentally prepared but we will take steps to streamline process. We regret unfortunate incident with people at the hands of post staff and strict action as per law would be taken.”

The BJP state president, Ravinder Raina, had termed the toll post as ‘ill thought-out decision of the local officials of the NHAI’ and sought its removal. On October 12, Raina had written a letter to Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari requesting scrapping of the toll plaza.

Since its opening there is resentment among the people in the Jammu region.

Rajak revealed that non-commercial vehicles within the Samba district would not have to pay toll, while commercial vehicles, including trucks, registered within the district, would have to pay 50 per cent of the toll charges.

“Those living within 20 km of the toll plaza on it either side will be provided with special cards for their hassle-free movement,” he said.