MOGA: The Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, on Wednesday took a significant step by closing the 10th toll plaza located on the Moga-Kotakpura road near Chand Puraana. During a conversation with the media after shutting down the Singhawala toll plaza, the Chief Minister expressed concern about the exorbitant toll charges imposed on people when crossing these 10 toll plazas. However, with the closure of these toll plazas, people will experience immense benefits and find major relief. Bhagwant Mann emphasized that commuters traveling on the Moga-Kotakpura road had to pay a daily toll of Rs 4.68 lakh at the Singhwala toll plaza, but now they can save their hard-earned money.
Bhagwant Mann strongly criticized these toll plazas, highlighting how they have become platforms for exploiting the general public. He pointed out that these tolls have violated the agreed-upon norms and looted the public without consequence. Surprisingly, previous state governments turned a blind eye to these misdeeds instead of taking appropriate action in the interest of the public.
The Chief Minister denounced the negligence of the previous governments in addressing the irregularities of these toll plazas, allowing them to unlawfully accumulate wealth at the expense of the general public. He lamented the absence of essential facilities like ambulances or recovery vans at any of the toll plazas, despite their inclusion in the agreement.
Highlighting the background, Bhagwant Mann revealed that the toll plaza agreement was signed on 25/09/2006 during the Captain government, imposing a toll for a period of 16.50 years. However, the construction company responsible for the first road overlay caused a delay of 158 days, resulting in a fine of Rs 2.48 crore. Regrettably, the government failed to recover this fine from the company.
Furthermore, Bhagwant Mann pointed out that the toll plaza could have been shut down on 10/11/2019 when the company violated the agreement by not performing the second overlay. At that time, a fine of Rs 3.89 crore was imposed on the company, surpassing the threshold of Rs 3.11 crore that would have allowed the contract to be terminated. Unfortunately, no action was taken, and those in power allowed the company to disregard the established norms.
Highlighting his government's efforts, the Chief Minister stated that upon assuming office, they initiated the process of freeing these toll plazas, resulting in their closure. He strongly criticized Congress leaders for making misleading statements and questioned why they failed to address the toll plaza issue during their tenures.
Moreover, Bhagwant Mann mentioned that the company requested an extension citing the farmers' agitation and the Covid pandemic, but his government rejected the plea. Serving a notice to the company 60 days in advance, they closed the toll plaza today. He expressed disappointment that this action should have been taken earlier, but his predecessors neglected to protect the interests of the people and instead prioritized the rights of the companies managing the toll plaza.
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