Chandigarh, May 28: The Punjab Government has in a communication with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways sought empowerment of local authorities to inspect the availability of public amenities and to take action against operators at toll plazas on the national highways.
At present, there are 12 toll plazas on national highways passing through the state. Another 21 toll plazas are proposed to be set up on other sections of national highways in the state. Acting on public complaints, the state Public Works Department (PWD) has sought intervention of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding long queues at toll plazas, poor public amenities and misbehaviour by toll plaza staff.
The PWD has also sought exemption from toll at the NHAI plazas for vehicles used by its officials for inspection or construction of national highways and other state roads.
After the initial communication, issues will be taken up during a meeting between PWD Minister Vijay Inder Singla and Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in Delhi on Tuesday.
CM Capt Amarinder Singh has already sought the inclusion of 13 road projects across the state in the Bharatmala Pariyojana, besides the declaration of seven new ones as national highways.
Source Tribune India
