Shillong, June 2: The State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for dialogue between the State government and the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) to resolve the escalating tension over the setting up of toll gates on national highways.
“There is probably some confusion, and the district council and the state government will have to meet, resolve the matter, and come to an understanding,” said BJP chief spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang on Sunday. “The two parties need to settle this issue. But as far as I know, no toll gate is allowed on national highways.”
The Voice of the People Party (VPP) had earlier described the situation as a conflict between the revenue requirements of the district councils and the need to comply with the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002.
Kharkrang further stated, “As far as my limited knowledge goes, no toll gates are allowed to be set up on national highways except for the ones where we are already paying toll.”
He clarified that while district councils may collect tolls from roads connecting villages to the national highways, such toll gates must be located away from the highways themselves. “National highway guidelines are very clear on this,” he added.
The issue came to a head recently when the Ri-Bhoi District Magistrate ordered the immediate closure of a toll gate that was reportedly operating without obtaining prior permission from the state government.
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