Contrary to an earlier announcement of no collection of toll at Pipili along NH-316 on the Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra and Sunabesha, now there will be no exemption of toll during these three days.
Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Pradipta Mohapatra had earlier said about exemption of toll, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) now in a letter to Mohapatra has overruled his decision.
The NHAI in its communication has stated that the SJTA declared about the toll exemption without consent of competent authority of NHAI. The NHAI letter said, “In toll fee rules, there is no such provision for providing free access to commuters on such occasions.
The toll plaza at Pipili is being operated by a private contractor through competitive bidding and the toll operator is required to deposit the full quoted amount irrespective of traffic volume.”