+
PAC Reviews Toll Levy And Road Quality
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

PAC Reviews Toll Levy And Road Quality

The Public Accounts Committee reviewed the levy and regulation of toll fees, tariffs and user charges on public infrastructure and utilities in a sitting on July 15. The meeting was chaired by Congress MP and PAC chairperson K.C. Venugopal and gathered officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the National Highways Authority of India and audit authorities alongside representatives of other concerned organisations. The session formed part of routine parliamentary oversight.

Discussions during the meeting emphasised road safety, toll collection mechanisms, construction quality and the broader implications for infrastructure financing. The committee examined a subject formally titled levy and regulation of fees, tariffs and user charges on public infrastructure and other public utilities, considering past audit findings and implementation gaps. The proceedings commenced with a detailed briefing by audit authorities and proceeded to oral evidence from ministry and NHAI representatives that outlined corrective actions and current procedural arrangements.

Venugopal described the exchanges as productive and noted that the committee had reviewed issues relating to infrastructure development, toll collection arrangements and the quality of national highways. He conveyed that the National Highways Authority of India had acknowledged shortcomings in design and construction highlighted in earlier reports and had placed a report before the committee detailing remedial steps. The committee recorded that several major concerns raised previously had been addressed, while others required ongoing follow up and verification.

The PAC noted that the meeting followed a prior sitting on July two which reviewed implementation and effectiveness of centrally sponsored welfare schemes in the education sector, underscoring the committee's continuing mandate over public expenditure. Members emphasised the need for sustained monitoring of tolling systems, construction standards and road safety measures to safeguard users and public investment. Further oversight and periodic reporting were indicated as necessary to ensure compliance and accountability.

The Public Accounts Committee reviewed the levy and regulation of toll fees, tariffs and user charges on public infrastructure and utilities in a sitting on July 15. The meeting was chaired by Congress MP and PAC chairperson K.C. Venugopal and gathered officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the National Highways Authority of India and audit authorities alongside representatives of other concerned organisations. The session formed part of routine parliamentary oversight. Discussions during the meeting emphasised road safety, toll collection mechanisms, construction quality and the broader implications for infrastructure financing. The committee examined a subject formally titled levy and regulation of fees, tariffs and user charges on public infrastructure and other public utilities, considering past audit findings and implementation gaps. The proceedings commenced with a detailed briefing by audit authorities and proceeded to oral evidence from ministry and NHAI representatives that outlined corrective actions and current procedural arrangements. Venugopal described the exchanges as productive and noted that the committee had reviewed issues relating to infrastructure development, toll collection arrangements and the quality of national highways. He conveyed that the National Highways Authority of India had acknowledged shortcomings in design and construction highlighted in earlier reports and had placed a report before the committee detailing remedial steps. The committee recorded that several major concerns raised previously had been addressed, while others required ongoing follow up and verification. The PAC noted that the meeting followed a prior sitting on July two which reviewed implementation and effectiveness of centrally sponsored welfare schemes in the education sector, underscoring the committee's continuing mandate over public expenditure. Members emphasised the need for sustained monitoring of tolling systems, construction standards and road safety measures to safeguard users and public investment. Further oversight and periodic reporting were indicated as necessary to ensure compliance and accountability.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

L&T Delivers 110 Modules for Australia’s Largest Urea Plant

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has completed the fabrication and delivery of 110 modules for Project CERES, Australia’s largest urea manufacturing plant, marking a significant milestone in the execution of the 2.3 MTPA facility. The project is being developed by Perdaman Chemicals & Fertilisers in Karratha, Western Australia, under the Saipem-Clough Joint Venture. L&T’s scope comprised 47 Pre-assembled Units and 63 Pre-assembled Racks, with the modules weighing approximately 64,000 metric tonnes. Fabricated at the company’s Modular Fabrication Facility at Kattupalli near Chennai, the modules wer..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

EPFO Wage Ceiling Raised to Rs 25,000 per Month

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to increase the wage ceiling for mandatory coverage under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per month. The move is expected to bring over 51 lakh additional employees under the EPFO social security framework.The revised ceiling will extend access to provident fund savings, pension benefits under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) and insurance coverage under the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI) to a wider section of employees earning between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000 per month.The EPFO..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Maharashtra to Get Rs 270 Billion Shipbuilding Cluster

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) will invest around Rs 27,000 crore to develop a greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Dighi Port in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. The project is expected to create nearly 90,000 employment opportunities, according to the state government.MDL has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park Maharashtra Ltd (NSHIPML) for the development of the project in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.Under the agreement, MDL aims to establish an annual shipbuilding capacity of at least 2 million ..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code