Increase in toll tax is unacceptable, says Assam Congress secretary Gauravv Somani

GUWAHATI: All India Professionals' Congress (AIPC), the state unit of Assam, has opposed the upward revision of toll fees at toll plazas in the state. In a press statement, the president of AIPC's Assam state unit and state Congress secretary Gauravv Somani said that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) decided to increase the toll fee by 5 percent to 25 percent for all vehicles with effect from April 1, 2023. Eventually, in Assam, the toll tax will be increased by 15 percent, as informed, he said.

Somani further said the NHAI has been setting up the toll plaza throughout Assam without proper recreational facilities, safety measures, fencing, and restrooms for truck drivers and passengers.

Similarly, according to rules, the increase in toll fee should not be implemented if the number of vehicles flying on roads has increased in comparison to the previous year, Somani said. "The people of the state are directed to pay extra toll tax due to the inclusion of more and more toll plazas every 60 km. Due to its geographic location, the transportation costs of goods and commodities are high in comparison to other states of the country," the statement said.