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Roll back hike at toll plazas: PMK

CHENNAI: PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss urged the Union government to roll back increase of toll rates for travelling on highways.

In a statement, the Member of Parliament noted that toll charges have been hiked in 29 toll plazas in Tamil Nadu.

“It is unacceptable to hike toll rates without improving the national highways. The hike is condemnable,” he said.

He added that Tamil Nadu has more than 10 per cent toll plazas in the country. Of the total 6,606 kilometres of national highways, toll charges are collected for 5,134 kilometres.

“This is 77 per cent and 4 times higher than the national average of 20 per cent. Adding today’s (Saturday) hike, cars should pay Rs 1.52 per kilometre to travel on national highways. This will lead to rise in the prices of essential commodities and people of all kinds will suffer,” he warned.

He recalled an announcement made by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nithin Gadkari that the toll plazas would be rationalised to have one plaza for 60 kilometres.

“He also promised to reduce toll rates in nine plazas in Tamil Nadu by 40 per cent. It is unacceptable to hike rates without rationalising the toll plazas and repair roads. The central government should roll back the hike which came into effect from today (Saturday),” he urged.

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2023-04-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-04-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://news.dtnext.in/article/281797108260062

Daily Thanthi