As NHAI Charges ‘Exorbitant Fee’, Police Fears ‘Backlash’, Apprises Government

Srinagar,  : A ‘confidential report’ by the Jammu and Kashmir Police has warned of “serious law and order implications in J&K” over levying of “exorbitant” road user fee by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on Pathankote-Jammu highway.

The warning comes after the NHAI started charging toll at Rajbagh in Kathua district of Jammu province.  Pertinently, the travel on Srinagar-Jammu highway would be expensive in next few years given the fact that the public and well as private transport plying on the route would also be tolled.
The documents accessed by Greater Kashmir reveal that JK Police Vide U.O. NO: Conf -2278- 80 dated 25-03-2013 has conveyed to the State government that charging of exorbitant fee at Seiswan Morh Rajbagh would have serious ramifications.
“The issue has serious law and order bearing and needs to be sorted out with the concerned at the earliest so that the anticipated repercussions (are) averted (Sic),” the communication reads.
The annexure vide No. PA/ conf / 1376-78 dated 23-03-2013 along with the communiqué above forewarns  of serious law and order problems  in the wake of installation of new Toll Plaza by NHAI in the Kathua district.
Pertinently, the toll post started collecting user fee from March 21 this year. But the process was suspended a day after following widespread resentment among the locals against “unjust charges”.
“There may be a general public outcry whenever the toll starts being levied again leading to serious law and order problems,” the police report reads, adding that “any strike by transporters is likely to have serious law and order repercussions given the bulk of population utilizing these services.”
It also states that political parties might try to “polarize state on regional lines over the issue.”
“Besides, some political parties may try to exploit the situation on regional lines (Jammu Vs Kashmir). A strike by the transporters with broad empathy and support of some political parties might manifest as a prolonged blocking of the Highway which in all probability will lead to ripple effects elsewhere,” the police report reads. “For example, a prolonged blocking of use of National Highway may lead to disturbances in the Kashmir Valley.”

The police warning, shot by senior officers, comes at a time when the state government is believed to be under tremendous pressure from the Centre to facilitate imposition of toll on the highway.
The police report further communicates that mini-bus and truckers also opposed the collection of toll given the steep charges. “A bus for example has to pay Rs 345 for a single crossing in either directions or Rs 7700 per month. Such charges are perceived as exorbitant and are likely to invite backlash if implemented,” it reads.

Moreover, the communiqué says that “reports indicates that the toll charges for Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) at Rs 70 are perceived to be exorbitant.”
The report also says that definition of local vehicles which  would be charged Rs 200  per month as per NHAI is vague.

Source-http://www.greaterkashmir.com