NHAI Chairman Urges Collection of Toll Fee from Buses Amidst Losses; Bus Owners' Association Refuses Payment

- NHAI's Losses Exceed Rs 400 Crore as Toll Fee Goes Unpaid by Passenger Buses in Odisha

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is facing a substantial loss of over Rs 400 crore due to the non-payment of toll fees by passenger buses operating in Odisha. Concerned about the revenue deficit, NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav has addressed a letter to Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena, urging immediate action to ensure that all passenger buses pay the required toll fees at various toll-gates.

Efforts were made to resolve the issue, with a meeting held under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary of The Transport Department, Usha Padhi. However, the discussions failed to reach a consensus, as the bus owners' association stood firm in their refusal to pay the toll fee. NHAI is currently involved in upgrading and repairing 2,372 km of national highways in Odisha, including six lanes of 372 km, four lanes of 1465 km, and two lanes of 536 km. The ongoing road construction projects cover 755 km of roads in 23 projects, with an expenditure of Rs 16,795 crore. Additionally, an estimated Rs 22,745 crore is set to be spent on constructing 639 km of roads in eight projects during the current financial year.

The inability to collect toll fees from passenger buses is raising concerns about the availability of funds for these crucial road projects. NHAI is striving to find a resolution to this dispute to ensure the smooth progress of road construction and maintenance activities. Debashish Nayak, spokesperson of The Odisha Private Bus Owners Association, shed light on the bus owners' perspective, stating, "Paying the toll fee would necessitate an increase in bus fares, as buses frequently pass through multiple toll gates. With each toll gate charging around Rs. 700, an additional cost of Rs. 2,000 per bus would eventually be borne by passengers. We are refusing to pay the toll fee as our buses serve the public, and we fear the burden will be passed on to the commuters." The issue remains unresolved as both NHAI and the bus owners' association hold their ground. The authorities continue to explore potential solutions to address the toll fee collection predicament, ensuring a fair balance between the financial needs of the road projects and the concerns of bus operators serving the public.