Posted on Dec 15, 2011 at 10:36am IST
CUTTACK:
The Orissa High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the National Highways
Authority of India basing on a PIL writ petition by Kendujhar Naba Nirman
Parishad which challenged the notification of the Ministry of Road Transport
and Highways. The petition challenged the decision of NHAI to charge toll fee
at the enhanced rate from the commuters at Manguli Toll Plaza for use of
six-lane road. The HC will hear the case on December 20.
?During
the hearing, petitioner’s advocate Kedar Jena submitted before the court that
the decision to collect toll by a private company Shree Jagannath Expressways
Private Ltd of Kolkata at the enhanced rate was illegal, arbitrary and in
violation of law. He also submitted that the NHAI should not have issued such a
notification before construction of six lanes.
?On
the other hand, the counsel for the company stated that NHAI had entered into
an agreement with the Kolkata-based firm for the development, operation and
maintenance of existing four lanes on? Bhubaneswar-Jagatpur-Chandikhol section
to six lanes divided carriageway on design, build, finance, operate and
transfer basis.
?It
was further stated that the company has been given 910 days for completing
construction of the six lanes and 26 years with effect from December 14 to
collect the toll. The division bench of Chief Justice V Gopalagowda and Justice
BN Mohapatra, while adjourning the case for further hearing, passed an interim
order directing the company to keep details of the collection of toll and such
collection shall be subject to the result of the writ petition.
IBN Live 2011-12-15 11:44:00
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