COMMON PEOPLE HAD TO SHELVE RS 10.12 LAKH DAILY WHILE CROSSING FROM THIS TOLL PLAZA ON KIRATPUR SAHIB-UNA-NANGAL ROAD
TOLL COMPANY SOUGHT EXTENSION FROM US BUT WE PREFERRED TO FACILITATE PEOPLE
THESE TOLL PLAZAS COULD HAVE BEEN CLOSED EARLIER TOO BUT PREVIOUS GOVERNMENTS IGNORED INTERESTS OF STATE
Ropar, April 1:
Continuing the pro-people initiative of the state government to stop plunder of common man at the toll plazas, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday closed the eight toll plaza in the state thereby saving Rs 10.12 lakh of the commoners daily.
Addressing the gathering after closing the toll plaza at Kiratpur Sahib-Nangal- Una road, the Chief Minister said that these toll plazas have been illegally looting the people in connivance with the previous governments. He said that though they had promised corruption free Punjab, employment for youth, free power, transformation of schools and colleges along with other guarantees. But, Bhagwant Mann said that several other works are being done which was not part of guarantee but it is the bounden duty of the state government.
The Chief Minister said that stopping loot of common man in these toll plazas is a part of this campaign only. Bhagwant Mann said that he had raised these issues in the Lok Sabha and now when he has got the opportunity to serve the people, he is closing these tolls. Bhagwant Mann said that these roads will be taken over by the PWD and timely repair, widening and strengthening of these roads will be ensured.
The Chief Minister said that the era of ‘roads on rent’ has ended in the state adding that it is a big reprieve to the common man. He said that the Congress and Akalis had connived with the toll plaza agencies to extend largesse to them by blatantly ignoring their all misdeeds. Bhagwant Mann said that when the common man has got the power this sheer loot of public money has been checked.
The Chief Minister said that the agreement of this toll plaza was signed on 10/10/2006 during the Captain government and the toll was imposed for 16.50 years. He said that this toll became operational on 20/11/2007 during the Akali-JP regime adding that as per agreement the first overlay was to be done on 19/11/2013. However, Bhagwant Mann said that the then Akali government ignored the interests of the state and its people due to which the overlay was done on 01/11/2014, an year after passing of the stipulated date but surprisingly no action was taken against erring agency.
Likewise, the Chief Minister said that the second overlay was to be done on 19/11/2017 but instead of stipulated time it was laid on 16/11/20 with a delay of 1093 days. He said that this delay could have invited punitive action and it could have led to termination of the agreement with the agency but no one bothered to take action against it. Bhagwant Mann said that due to this negligence the company today owes Rs 67 crore to the state but instead of recovering it the previous governments have been extending favors to the agency.