Immediately remove 32 obsolete toll booths in Tamil Nadu: K. Balakrishnan

Chennai: “The increase in toll fees proposed by the United Government should be withdrawn immediately. The 32 expired toll booths in Tamil Nadu, the toll booths less than 60 km away, and the toll booths operating in urban areas should be removed immediately,” said K. Balakrishnan, state secretary of the Communist Party of the Communist Party of India.

In a statement issued by him in this regard, “The National Highways Planning Commission has announced to increase the toll fees at toll booths across India by 5 to 10 percent from April 1. As the common poor and middle class people are already suffering due to severe price rise and unemployment, there is a danger that the prices of all essential commodities will rise sharply due to this increase in customs duty. Not only traders, vehicle owners, but also the general public, there is a risk of being severely affected.

Toll booths were set up on the roads built by the state government with the tax money of the common people, for private companies to collect money from the people. Tamil Nadu has the highest number of toll booths in India at 62. The Tamil Nadu government passed a resolution in the assembly and sent it to the union government to remove these 32 expired toll booths, while the democratic movements including the Communist Party and the public were constantly fighting.

But the BJP government has put it on hold without taking any action so far. Even though the Union Government has announced that the toll booths at a distance of 60 kilometers and the toll booths in the city will be removed, no action has been taken. All the outdated toll booths are functioning as money collection centers and robbing the public.

No work is being carried out such as toll booths and road maintenance. No rule of law is properly followed. The Union Government, which is supposed to prevent this, is engaging in joint robbery with toll booth owners.

Therefore, the proposed increase in toll fees proposed by the Union Government should be withdrawn immediately and 32 expired toll booths in Tamil Nadu and 60 km. The Tamil Nadu State Executive Committee of the Communist Party of the Communist Party of India urges the Union Government to immediately remove the toll booths that are short of distance and the toll booths operating in urban areas,” he said.