NHAI Penalises Agency for Misconduct at Bhuni Toll Plaza

26 Aug 2025 CW Team

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has terminated the contract of the toll collection agency at Bhuni Toll Plaza on the Meerut–Karnal section of NH-709A and debarred it from participating in bids for one year, following misconduct by toll staff towards army personnel on 17 August 2025.

In addition to the termination, NHAI has imposed a penalty of Rs 20 million on the agency, M/s Dharm Singh, and announced that its performance security amounting to Rs 366 million will be encashed to cover the cost of repairs and replacement of damaged equipment and infrastructure at the plaza.

A show-cause notice was earlier issued to the agency, but its reply was deemed unsatisfactory. The company was found in direct violation of contract obligations, including misconduct by staff, physical altercations, damage to public property, and disruption of toll collection operations.

To prevent similar incidents in the future, NHAI has directed all toll collection agencies to take strict disciplinary action against staff who misbehave with highway users or public representatives. Agencies have also been instructed to provide regular training to toll plaza employees on customer interaction and communication skills. NHAI itself had recently organised such a programme to improve service standards.

Reaffirming its commitment, NHAI stated that ensuring a seamless travel experience on national highways remains a priority, and unruly behaviour by toll plaza staff towards highway users will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Infrastructure Transport

09 Jan 2026

India Becomes First to Produce Bio-Bitumen for Roads

India has become the first country in the world to commercially produce bio-bitumen for use in road construction, according to Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Bitumen, a black and viscous hydrocarbon derived from crude oil, is a key binding material in road building, and the bio-based alternative is expected to significantly improve the sector’s environmental footprint.Addressing the CSIR Technology Transfer Ceremony in New Delhi, Mr Gadkari congratulated Council of Scientific and Industrial Research on achieving the milestone, noting that the initiative would help curb ..

HILT Policy Seen Boosting Telangana Revenue Sharply

The Hyderabad Industrial Land Transformation (HILT) Policy is expected to generate around Rs 1.08 billion in revenue for the Telangana state exchequer, according to Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu. Speaking in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, he said the policy would be implemented within a six-month timeframe in a transparent manner, with uniform rules applicable to all stakeholders. Mr Vikramarka noted that without the HILT Policy, the state would have earned only about Rs 1.2 million per acre. Under the new framework, however, revenue is projected to rise sharply to Rs 70 ..

India Post, MoRD Tie Up to Boost Rural Inclusion

The Department of Posts and the Ministry of Rural Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate rural transformation and expand financial, digital and logistics services for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and rural households across India. The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The collaboration aligns with the government’s “Dak Sewa, Jan Sewa” vision and seeks to repositi..