Of the total eight tollgates along the National Highways (NHs) in the State, five are illegal, informed Commerce and Transport Minister Ramesh Majhi on Friday.
“Tollgates on NH at Pipili, Sergarh, Manguli, Panikoili and Baraguda are illegal. We have asked the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to review it,” said Majhi after holding a meeting with a delegation of the Private Bus Owners’ Association and senior department officials.
The association has been demanding removal of the tollgates as these were erected on NH within the 60 km radius from each one violating the guidelines.
It was also decided in the meeting that the State Government would write to the Centre to reconsider the recent notification in hiking toll charges.
“We hope the Government will take prompt measures on our genuine demands. Now, we call off our proposed strike. We will resort to agitation if the Government fails to ensure justice to us,” said association secretary Debendra Sahu.