NHAI suspends contractor’s tolling rights
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

NHAI suspends contractor’s tolling rights

After suspending tolling rights of Panipat-Jalandhar NH-1 Pvt Ltd ( formerly called Soma Isolux NH-1 Tollway Pvt Ltd) on account of multiple defaults regarding operation and maintenance, payment of authority share in fee collected, street lighting , completion of balance work, signage, and failure to improve safety standards, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) took over the tolling on the 291 km NH 1 stretch.

As reported by NHAI officials, around 900 people lost their lives and 12,721 were left injured on this stretch in the past seven years.The six-laning of the stretch has thus been delayed by nine years.

NHAI had awarded the work for widening the stretch to the developer in May 2008. This was scheduled for completion in November, 2011 and the provisional approval for toll collection was issued in September, 2015. Currently, 3% work involving around Rs 300 crore is yet to be completed, as reported by officials.

Road accidents on National Highways claimed 53,892 lives, approximately 36% of the 1.51 lakh road fatalities in India in 2019.

The government is looking forward to collecting 100% toll charges on national highways via FASTags, commencing from 1 January 2021 in order to get rid of cash transactions. As of now, almost 75% of toll payments are made through FASTags and only one lane at toll plazas accept cash.

After suspending tolling rights of Panipat-Jalandhar NH-1 Pvt Ltd ( formerly called Soma Isolux NH-1 Tollway Pvt Ltd) on account of multiple defaults regarding operation and maintenance, payment of authority share in fee collected, street lighting , completion of balance work, signage, and failure to improve safety standards, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) took over the tolling on the 291 km NH 1 stretch. As reported by NHAI officials, around 900 people lost their lives and 12,721 were left injured on this stretch in the past seven years.The six-laning of the stretch has thus been delayed by nine years. NHAI had awarded the work for widening the stretch to the developer in May 2008. This was scheduled for completion in November, 2011 and the provisional approval for toll collection was issued in September, 2015. Currently, 3% work involving around Rs 300 crore is yet to be completed, as reported by officials. Road accidents on National Highways claimed 53,892 lives, approximately 36% of the 1.51 lakh road fatalities in India in 2019. The government is looking forward to collecting 100% toll charges on national highways via FASTags, commencing from 1 January 2021 in order to get rid of cash transactions. As of now, almost 75% of toll payments are made through FASTags and only one lane at toll plazas accept cash.

Next Story
Technology

We’re building robots that flow, not just move

Founded in 2021, Flo Mobility is reimagining construction automation with vision-AI robots designed for seamless movement through complex sites. In conversation with CW, Manesh Jain, Founder & CEO, discusses the company’s origin, its LiDAR-free tech stack, and expansion plans in the Middle East and US.What inspired the name Flo Mobility? Why ‘Flo’ and not ‘Flow’?When we started the company in 2021, our focus was on building autonomous navigation systems for robots. Since our work centred around robot movement, ‘mobility’ naturally became part of the name. We wanted to co..

Next Story
Real Estate

We’re committed to setting benchmarks in sustainable luxury living

From a landmark land acquisition in Boisar to ambitious launches across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), National Capital Region (NCR), Bengaluru and Pune, Birla Estates is driving future-ready growth with a strong focus on sustainability, partnerships and premium living, firmly anchored in its LifeDesigned® philosophy. K T Jithendran, Managing Director & CEO, outlines the company’s premium, sustainable growth playbook in conversation with PRATAP PADODE, Editor-in-Chief, CW. Excerpts:Birla Estates recently acquired a 70.92-acre land parcel in Boisar, Maharashtra, for..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Mumbai’s land crunch and ageing homes call for structured renewal

Founded in 2022, Etonhurst Capital Partners is a real-estate fund management platform focused on the Indian market. As the firm achieves the first close of Rs 1.8 billion for its debut Rs 5 billion fund, Bamasish Paul, Co-founder, Managing Partner & CEO, discusses its sharp focus on redevelopment-driven value creation in Mumbai’s urban core with CW. Excerpts:Etonhurst Capital has achieved a significant milestone with the first close of Rs 1.8 billion for its Rs 5 billion fund. What factors contributed to this early success and how do you plan to attract further investments to r..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?