Close tollgates as National Highway works not yet over: AJYCP

GUWAHATI: The Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba-Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) has raised the demand for immediate closure of tollgates on the half-constructed national highways till the completion of their construction in the State.

In a statement issued to the media on June 25, 2020, AJYCP general secretary Palash Changmai said, "Taking the advantage of COVID-19 outbreak in the State, the State government has started the operation of tollgates on the NH at Roha, Nazirakhat, Bijni, Madanpur, etc even as the construction of the road is far from being over. The government shouldn't operate any tollgate till it fulfils the preconditions for operating such gates."

The statement further said that the tollgate at Roha has been made operational by the NHAI (National Highway Authority of India) violating all rules. "According to rules, such tollgates should be at least 5 km away from any civic area like municipal corporation or town committees. However, the tollgate at Roha is within 5 km of the civic body. The distance between the tollgate at Roha and the one at Nazirakhat is less than 70 km, which according to rules, should have been more than 70 km. The tollgates at Bijni and Madanpur are also against the standing rules as the construction of the national highway is far from being over there. Likewise, many other safety rules and facilities should have been provided on the national highways," the statement said.

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