Kerala   

Toll system highlights need to move with the times

Most of our highways are not safe to travel on. So, imposing of toll in these roads will attract public’s wrath. The government has spent crores of rupees to construct and maintain these roads. Then, private companies ‘make a deal’ with the government officials, offer them an assured amount per month, and bag the sanction for toll collection.

Tendering work to private agencies thus helps the bureaucracy dodge uneasy questions on quality of road maintenance. It also ensures a permanent ‘alternative income.’ Common man does not realise this. They think that private agencies are more competent to do such public services.

Instead of reducing toll amount, making the service toll-free after some years, the companies keep increasing the amount. Some cases are pending in various courts too in this regard. If a parallel road or bridge is constructed to the existing one, the contractors impose toll on the old one also!

S. Guruvayoorappan

Tathamangalam

Though the country’s road lengths have multiplied manifold in the past few decades, they have proved to be grossly inadequate, both in quality and stretch, to cope with our development needs. This is especially true of Kerala.

The main reason is that the roads are owned, built and maintained by government departments at the national, state and local levels. Most of these departments are not only grossly inefficient, but also face financial and administrative constraints. As a consequence, most of the roads, including the highways, are in a dismal condition, resulting in traffic blocks, slow traffic, and loss of time and fuel.

So, the only alternative left is to involve private investors or agencies in building and maintaining roads, bridges and flyovers on a BOT basis. This will, of course, mean toll collection from road users. In Kerala, this will come in for strong resistance in the name of the common man. But the fact is that the common people who travel on foot, by bicycles or public transport will not be affected by the toll. Bus operators, truck owners and car owners can afford and should pay the toll. The toll for two-wheelers will normally be less and nominal.

In the long run, the vehicle owners and users will have no cause for grudge, since what they will get in return will be the pleasure of driving on improved, smooth roads that will save time and fuel and ensure reduced maintenance cost. A state like Kerala that is hoping to take off industrially has no alternative but to opt for the BOT mode if it wants infrastructure development to attract investment.

K.V. Ravindran

Payyanur

For economic development of any country, state-of-the-art infrastructure, especially well-maintained roads, are a must. India is a large country, but its roads are inadequate and poorly maintained.

The reasons for this are unscrupulous contractors and unethical practices. Adverse weather conditions do not help. Also, authorities are reluctant to disburse cash on time, even for work done according to standard specifications. This forces genuine contractors to indulge in dubious activities. Non-availability of government funds and lack of political worsen matters.

Under the circumstances, entrusting road development work to the private sector is desirable. Of course, in this case the toll system may come into effect to compensate the builder for his huge investment. But the road user will gain in the long run as the quality of roads will be superior and the vehicles will require less maintenance.

At least the highways should be constructed on a BOT basis, with the toll system being introduced for a definite period to enable recovery of investment.

Ambalath Aboobakar

Thrissur

Toll is usage fee for a service or facility and is a universal practice. We are used to such charges and, therefore, need not be worried about it becoming more widespread. What will upset road-users, however, is mismanagement of money so collected, resulting in poor maintenance and the decline of roads.

While most highways in India facilitate comfortable travel in return for the tolls charged, Kerala’s tolls tend to take a toll on passengers’ health and patience by keeping things in poor repair.

The latest terms of development like Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) etc. help to an extent is ensuring good value for money, but suitable regulation, rational rates and monitoring of revenue have to be in place for the practice to be equitable and beneficial to all.

Devraj Sambasivan

Alappuzha

Fast track roads are a must to meet the ever-increasing movement of men and materials. The government’s initiatives in this respect at both the Central and State levels are visible. Those who advocate the need for this important infrastructure support have to face critics who cry foul about levying toll for the use of such roads.

Mostly these types of roads are used by the well to do or by trade and industry. By paying an extra charge by way of toll, they stand to gain substantially by reduced time spent on the road and less wear and tear of the vehicle.

Along with the fast track highways, there should be service roads for short-distance users.

T.N. Ramachandran Nair

Thrissur

There is nothing wrong in collecting a small fee from users when roads and bridges are constructed for public purposes.

The BOT system is a welcome step, as far as it does not affect the common man. But what happens usually is that the contractor collects more than 10 times the toll. Such practices should be stopped and the period of collecting should be a maximum of five years.

The government should budget a substantial sum for construction of bridges and roads and only for the remaining amount should toll be collected from the public.

P. Sankaranarayanan

Thripunithura

The government collects crores from the public by way of tax and other means. Even for using public roads, taxes have be paid by the people.

It is also a fact that the government spends crores on building and maintaining roads and bridges. For this, money is required. But why does the government not propose a good budget for constructing roads and bridges than collecting fee from the public? Collecting money from the public for using roads is a bad move.

S.N. Thiruvazhiode

Ernakulam

The people of the State are convinced that they are entitled to receive facilities, including motorable roads and bridges, for free. In this era of globalisation, such considerations are outdated. All kinds of services are charged accordingly.

The introduction of a toll system for roads and bridges is a result of this. The BOT concept will be made applicable to all new constructions in future.

The statement made by the State’s Finance Minister regarding new railway overbridges is a reminder.

The common man will have to get used to the new trends and should be prepared to pay for the services he receives.The poor people will be adversely affected. and the governments should find out ways and means to uplift them.

Capt. O.B. Nair

Poonithura

The idea of collecting toll for use of roads, bridges and harbours is very old. In this age of advanced technology and science, the idea of collecting dues at the gate seems to be obsolete. Think about a system of collecting toll while passing through the Konkan railway. The cost of construction was raised by the corporation by issuing bonds in advance.

The planners of highways and our electronic geniuses should put their heads together and find a solution to the problem related to toll collection.

A.K. Jayarajan

Thondayad

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