Puri: National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has said that the toll collection will not be stopped at Pipli toll plaza in view of the ongoing Rath Yatra.
Earlier, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had announced that the toll fees will be waived off during Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra and Sunabesha to ensure free flow of vehicles and to encourage more pilgrims to the town.
NHAI authorities, however, refuted the claim and said that the SJTA authorities had made the announcement without consulting with them. NHAI had also written a letter to SJTA chief Pradipta Mohapatra to clarify about the issue.
“In toll fee rules, there is no such provision for providing free access to commuters on such occasions. Toll plaza at Pipli is being operated by private contractor through competitive bidding and toll operator is required to deposit the full quoted amount irrespective of traffic volume,” the NHAI said in the letter.