Following its recent decision in Haryana Cabinet to raise the issue of high toll charges with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Haryana Government on Friday authorised Principal Secretary, PWD (B&R), Sanjeev Kaushal to initiate discussions with concessionaires of toll barriers, manned by NHAI to work out modalities for providing relief to the users of different categories including car, jeep, maxi cabs, light vehicles etc. owned by the residents of the State.

An official spokesman said that Kaushal would hold meetings from June 2 with the concessionaires at Panchkula, Karnal, Panipat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Gurgaon and Palwal for finalising the modalities. The meetings would also be attended by concerned Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, SDM and Secretary, RTA.

He said that discussions would be held with concessionaires to provide the details where the toll charges could be reduced and the burden would be shared partly by the concessionaire and the State Government.He said that the State Government is inclined to bear the burden of relief in the toll charges mutually agreed upon.  Besides, discussions would also be held with the concessionaires for working out a formula for issuing monthly passes to inhabitants living within a radius of 30-km of the toll.

The spokesman added that the toll charges under 2008 policy were on the higher side and the commuters have to pay Rs 2.28 per km as compared to Rs 1.17 per km as per the revised policy of 2010. Therefore, Government of India is being urged to reduce the toll charges to Rs 1.17 per km instead of Rs 2.28 per km.