Chennai: DMK MP P Wilson voiced concerns about “excessive toll fees” collected at Paranur toll plaza near Chennai, accusing the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) or collecting more than 28.5 crore beyond the initial investment.
In a post on National Highways Fee Rules require a reduced toll rate after project costs are recovered.
Calling the continued collection of full toll charges “unacceptable, outrageous and unjust,” he said, “There may come a day when we find ourselves confined in our houses by this unjust exploitation and looting.”
Currently, NHAI operates 64 toll plazas across Tamil Nadu. Wilson questioned the decision to deposit excess collections into the Consolidated Fund of India for further highway development. According to Wilson, the absence of independent audits over these funds creates opportunities for exploitation, ultimately benefiting contractors at the public’s expense.
DMK MP Wilson criticized MoRTH officials for misinterpreting the 1997 National Highways Fee Rules, which he says mandate an 80km distance between toll plazas, making two within that range illegal. He alleged that officials misinformed minister Harsh Malhotra, who said in Parliament that no minimum distance requirements existed.
Wilson’s appeal follows his recent calls in Parliament to remove toll plazas altogether and aligns with similar concerns raised by fellow DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran. In early Oct, Maran wrote to Gadkari urgently halt to toll collection on the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) due to the poor condition of the road. Despite deteriorating surfaces and incomplete construction along the route, tolls continue to be collected at the Sriperumbudur plaza, Maran said.
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